The seven-story parking garage partially collapsed April 8 while being built for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. (Courtesy of NBC News)
A Cape May native was among three workers killed last week in the partial collapse of a parking garage under construction in Philadelphia.
Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock extended his condolences to the family and friends of Matthew Kane in a Facebook post.
“Extremely saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Cape May’s Matt Kane in the Philadelphia parking garage collapse,” Mullock wrote. “Keeping his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him in my thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Kane was one of three ironworkers killed when a seven-story parking garage suddenly collapsed Wednesday in the Grays Ferry section of Philadelphia while it was being built for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Ironworkers Local 401 confirmed that Kane was one of its members killed in the collapse. Stepan Shevchuk and Mark Scott Jr. were identified as the two other ironworkers.
“We’ve lost three loved and respected members of our 401 family and wait in anticipation to bring our Brothers home,” the union said in a statement. “This process has been slow and painstaking, but necessary due to the condition of the structure and the possibility for further collapse. We asked that you respect the authorities and agencies that are involved as they are trying to recover our Brothers as safely, dignified and respectfully as possible.”
A methodical demolition has begun on the garage to allow authorities to recover the bodies of Kane and Scott while also removing what is left of the building. Shevchuk’s body has been recovered.
Mullock told NJ.com that Kane’s family is well-known in Cape May. Kane’s brother, Ed, passed away last year, Mullock said.
“The Kanes are a beloved family in town,” Mullock told NJ.com.
Loving tributes to Kane and his family were posted on social media, including prayers, condolences and remembrances. One post asked everyone to light a candle in Kane’s memory and to observe a moment of silence.
Billy Salmon, a newly retired ironworker, said the loss of Kane and his fellow ironworkers was devastating.
“I just retired last week after almost 40 years in the business and met Matt on a few jobs. He was an outstanding person and will be missed dearly,” Salmon wrote on Facebook.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is leading the investigation of the accident, which occurred when a precast concrete segment failed, causing a progressive collapse of the structure, authorities said.
