One construction worker has died and another is still missing after scaffolding collapsed on a bridge on Long Island, New York, sending two men into the water below. Six other workers were injured in the incident on the Loop Parkway drawbridge on Wednesday, 11 November.

The scaffolding buckled just before noon while repair work was under way on the drawbridge, which connects the Meadowbrook State Parkway to Long Beach in Nassau County. Two workers plunged into Reynolds Channel when the temporary structure gave way, according to the New York State Police.

One of the men was pulled from the water and taken to hospital, where he later died despite attempts to resuscitate him. The second worker remained missing on Wednesday evening as search teams continued to comb the channel. The six other injured workers suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.

Search under way in Reynolds Channel

Rescue crews from the US Coast Guard, including teams from Coast Guard Station Jones Beach and Air Station Cape Cod, joined local fire departments, dive teams, the New York Police Department's air and sea rescue unit and state police in the search for the missing worker.

The Loop Parkway was fully reopened by 5pm on Wednesday evening, after being closed while emergency crews worked at the scene. What caused the scaffolding to fail has not yet been confirmed, and officials have not said when the search will end.

A bridge built in 1934

The Loop Parkway drawbridge dates back to 1934 and has needed regular maintenance and repair work over the years. The current work is part of a $15.9 million contract awarded to a third-party contractor for infrastructure upgrades, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The upgrades include maintenance to the bridge decks, replacement of bridge joints, new railings and better lighting for boat traffic. The work began in September and is scheduled to be completed by March 2028.

The incident is a reminder of the risks faced by workers maintaining ageing transport infrastructure. The drawbridge opens frequently to let marine traffic pass through Reynolds Channel, and the scaffolding had been put in place so crews could work on the structure safely.

Authorities have not released the names of the workers involved. The bridge carries traffic between the Meadowbrook State Parkway and the Long Beach barrier island, a busy route for residents and visitors heading to the south shore beaches. The investigation into the collapse is continuing, and further details are expected as the search and inquiries progress.

Sources: New York Post and ABC7 New York.