News Summary
A fatal incident at a construction site near San Antonio has resulted in the death of a 28-year-old subcontractor, Maurice McGowan. He was struck by an articulating truck on October 13 while working at the Rowan Digital Infrastructure’s Cinco data center campus. Emergency responders declared him dead on the scene, leading to work stoppage as investigations by OSHA commence. The project aims to offer 300 MW of capacity and has a minimum investment of $900 million, emphasizing the need for safety in high-stakes construction environments.
Fatal Incident at Construction Site Claims Life of Subcontractor
Lytle, Texas – A tragic accident at a construction site for a new data center near San Antonio has resulted in the death of a 28-year-old subcontractor, Maurice McGowan. McGowan was fatally injured on October 13 when he was struck by an articulating truck while working on the site, which is part of Rowan Digital Infrastructure’s Cinco data center campus.
Emergency responders arrived quickly but declared McGowan dead at the scene. Following the incident, all work on the construction site has been suspended as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the event. Turner Construction, the general contractor for the project, has confirmed that its staff and onsite medics responded immediately to the situation.
Project Overview and Economic Impact
The construction of the data center, which broke ground on August 7, is designed to deliver up to 300 megawatts (MW) of capacity. This ambitious development is backed by a minimum investment of $900 million, although no completion date has been announced. The project aims to meet the growing demand for data handling and storage capabilities.
Investigation and Safety Measures
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is overseeing the investigation into the incident, with Turner Construction cooperating fully. The company has stated a commitment to understanding the causes of the accident in order to prevent any future occurrences.
In light of this tragic incident, Rowan’s chief data center officer expressed that safety is a top priority, and the company is providing support to those affected by McGowan’s death. The investigation aims to clarify the conditions that led to this serious workplace accident and to reinforce safety protocols across the site.
Background on the Construction Site
The data center is part of a broader trend towards expanding digital infrastructure to accommodate the increasing reliance on technology and data services. Such construction projects not only contribute to technological advancement but also have significant economic implications for the region, creating jobs and driving investment.
This incident marks a somber reminder of the risks associated with construction work, particularly in high-stakes environments like data centers where large machinery and complex operations are commonplace. As the investigation unfolds, the construction community and local authorities are likely to scrutinize safety measures to ensure similar incidents do not occur in the future.
The loss of Maurice McGowan highlights the importance of adherence to safety regulations and the necessity for ongoing safety training within the construction industry. The commitment to safety by all parties involved will be crucial in the wake of this tragedy as they work towards providing a secure working environment for their employees and contractors.
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Additional Resources
- Engineering News-Record: Worker is Identified in Fatal Turner Construction Data Center Incident
- Wikipedia: Occupational Safety and Health
- Engineering News-Record: Turner Construction Co. Involved in Fatal Data Center Incident
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Construction
- U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

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