Electrical workers falls to death from catwalk in Detroit arena

June 28 (UPI) -- The Detroit Fire Department said an electrical worker died after falling about 75 feet from a catwalk in the under-construction Little Caesars Arena.

Dave Fornell, the Detroit Fire Department deputy commissioner, said the 46-year-old man fell at about 8 a.m. on Wednesday into the bleachers below. The man, whose name has not yet been released, was declared dead at a local hospital.

"A worker fell approximately 75 feet from a catwalk at the new Little Caesars Arena area," Fornell said. "When we arrived, he was found in cardiac arrest and they did CPR and he was transported to the Detroit Medical Center Receiving Hospital."

Fornell said authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the incident, including whether the man wore a safety harness.

"Seventy-five feet is not really very survivable. We don't know what caused him to fall," Fornell said. "And again, when we got there he was in cardiac arrest, he was on the ground, and then he was treated and transported immediately."

Ryan Maibach, the CEO of the Barton Mallow construction firm operating in the arena, said more information about the incident will be released when available.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the individual and his family," Maibach said.

The Little Caesars Arena will be used as a concert hall and by the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Red Wings upon completion in September.

Construction in the site has been suspended amid a Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation.