Construction worker dies on Indiana University campus during renovations

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Authorities say a construction worker died when a large chunk of limestone fell onto his head and chest at Indiana University's Bloomington campus.

Monroe County coroner Joani Shields says 35-year-old William M. Brown Jr., of Bloomington, was killed Wednesday afternoon at Swain Hall West. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning.

Brown was an employee for a contractor hired by the university for a $36 million renovation of the building. He was helping to install a limestone header above an interior second-floor doorway when the block fell as it was being lofted it into place.

Sgt. Brandon Hudson of the Bloomington Fire Department tells The Herald-Times that the stone was about 6 feet (1.8 meters) long and that it struck Brown in the head and chest.

Indiana University sent the following statement regarding the incident:

“An workplace accident this afternoon has resulted in the death of a worker for the contractor on the renovation of Swain Hall, located on 3rd street. The accident killed an adult male in an isolated part of Swain Hall at around 2:50 p.m. There were no other injuries.

"We offer our sympathy to the victim’s family, friends, and co-workers on the project.”

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