Construction worker dead, another injured after being electrically shocked in North Lawndale: CPD

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A construction worker is dead and another is injured after coming into contact with an electrical current at a West Side construction site on Tuesday morning.

The incident happened near the intersection of West Ogden and South Homan avenues in North Lawndale.

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More than seven hours after the initial incident, ComEd crews were still on the scene at the construction site, working to secure the area.

Two workers, who ABC7 is told were not ComEd employees, were on a crane, working very close to several power lines, when things went wrong around 8:30 a.m.

Tonya Simmons-Spruill had no idea she had just pulled up to the scene of an emergency. Two workers, who she says she sees every day, were in trouble at the top of a crane lift.

"I was just parking my car, picking up my mom, and I just hear somebody screaming," Simmons-Spruill said. "One of the guys' head was sticking out of the crane, and he was hollering for help. And then the cords, the electric cords started burning, and the fence here had the electric current in it."

Video she took of the scene shows the lift smoking and the base of the crane on fire, the apparent result of the crane coming into contact with a live electrical line. Another picture shows one of the workers alert in the bucket with a first responder on the balcony of the building just above.

"You just feel so helpless at that point, because it's like, you know you want to help, but it's nothing you can do," Simmons-Spruill said.

Chicago police say a 33-year old man died from his injuries, and a 26-year old man was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital for observation, reportedly in good condition.

ComEd said the two workers were not ComEd employees nor were they contracted by ComEd. The building is the construction site for a planned affordable housing development.

"My heart just goes out to the whole work team here," Simmons-Spruill said.

People in a nearby building were without power for a couple of hours after the incident. A spokesperson for ComEd confirmed that power is back on in the neighboring homes and businesses.

At this point, it is not clear who the two men were employed by.

Employees of the city of Chicago, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and ComEd have been on the scene all day, in addition to Chicago fire and Chicago police departments, who have been working to secure the site and begin to investigate.

Pastor Hunter issued a statement on behalf of Grace Manor Apartments, saying, "On behalf of Grace Manor Apartments, I'd like to express my deep concern and condolences for the families of the two young men involved in this tragic accident. At this time there is an ongoing investigation into this matter of which I have no further information. Again our prayers are with the families of these young men."