NORFOLK — Norfolk’s Marine Hydraulics International shipyard announced Wednesday that two workers were killed in an accident at the facility, but provided no other details.
Police were called to the Warrington Avenue facility shortly after 8 a.m. to assist Norfolk Fire-Rescue with an industrial accident, police said in a statement released this morning. A man was pronounced dead at the scene, and another person was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, the statement said.
MHI issued a release hours later that said the injured person had died.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of two shipyard workers after an incident at MHI Ship Repair’s midtown facility this morning,” compoany spokesman Benton Strong said in the release. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, as well as with the many impacted workers at our facility. We are committed to supporting them through this difficult time. Safety is our top priority at MHI, and we will work within our own team and with local authorities to investigate the cause of this incident.
The release said the shipyard will have no further comment.
MHI Ship Repair & Services is a marine repair and conversion contractor serving commercial ship owners, the U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command, and maritime administration and operators worldwide, according to its website.
The shipyard is located on the Elizabeth River, in the Chelsea Business District, and employs nearly 500 people.
Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
