The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating an incident at SpaceX’s South Texas facilities that resulted in the death of a worker.
Jose Luis Bautista, a 25-year-old man from Donna, died Friday morning after falling 8 feet from scaffolding, according to Cameron County Justice of the Peace Mary Esther Sorola. Sorola said Bautista was transported from Starbase to Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, where he was pronounced dead at 5:15 a.m. A preliminary autopsy report showed he died from blunt force trauma caused by the fall, Sorola said.
The city of Starbase confirmed the worker’s death, who is believed to be employed by a contractor, on Tuesday after reports began circling online over the weekend of an accident.
“The City extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of the individual who passed away,” Cayetana Polanco, Starbase city administrator, said in a statement.
“SpaceX’s operations and workplace matters are not within the City’s purview,” she added. “We defer all inquiries regarding this incident to SpaceX, the relevant contracting company, and the appropriate authorities.”
SpaceX did not respond to questions about the incident, including whether it was related to the delay of a test flight this week.
SpaceX initially aimed to launch its 12th test flight of its Starship rocket on Tuesday but the launch has been postponed to May 21.
While OSHA confirmed it was investigating the incident, the workplace safety agency did not release more details.
Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Treviño said his office responded to the scene but SpaceX personnel took over once it was determined that it was not a criminal incident.
Safety concerns have dogged SpaceX for years.
Last year, OSHA hit the company with seven safety citations, which include allegations that a crane that needed repairs was not properly inspected before being utilized again. The citations, classified as “serious,” led to a penalty of $115,850. SpaceX is currently contesting the violations.
OSHA had also cited SpaceX last year for not immediately reporting a workplace incident that resulted in an “in-patient hospitalization, amputation or the loss of an eye,” but the citation was settled and withdrawn.
Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
This article first appeared on The Texas Tribune.
Photo; SpaceX rockets at the launch pad at the Brownsville facility on Oct. 20, 2021. Texas Parks and Wildlife is negotiating a land swap that would give the company part of Boca Chica State Park. Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune
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