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    • Fatal construction accident at World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida
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    Fatal construction accident at World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida

    Online Niel Posted on

    A man died while working at the World Equestrian Center earlier this week, according to family and official accounts.

    Juan Medina Martinez was the father of two girls, ages 7 and 9, according to his father-in-law, Jose Gonzalez.

    Gonzalez said Martinez came to the United States from Mexico about a year ago and has been working for about four months. He said Martinez is married to his 10-year-old daughter and that his daughter lives in Mexico.

    Martinez will be buried in Mexico, Gonzalez said.

    Fatal accident at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala

    Monday, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to WEC, 1750 NW 80th Ave., in reference to an accident call.

    Cpl. Joseph Spratlin wrote in his report that site superintendent Phil Resmondo told him he was not near the site when the incident occurred.

    Resmondo told Deputy Martinez that he was moving from one level of scaffolding to another, which required the safety harness to be undone.

    The superintendent said a wooden slab on the upper level, estimated to be about 40 feet above a concrete foundation, shifted and Martinez fell to the ground. Resmondo showed the deputy where Martinez fell.

    According to the report, Martinez was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

    WEC statement

    A statement from WEC sent to the Star-Banner reads: “Due to the ongoing investigation, inquiries regarding this incident would best be directed to the Marion County Sheriff. Although this tragedy involved a subcontractor, our organization is cooperating fully with the investigation at every We also want to specifically express our deep sadness in response to this tragedy and ask the public to pray for the family of the worker whose life was ended. soon.”

    A WEC spokeswoman declined further comment.

    According to its website, the WEC is “the largest equestrian complex in the United States” and is “a world-class multi-indoor and outdoor arena that offers state-of-the-art facilities to host numerous disciplines from equine industry and More.”

    WEC also offers fine and casual dining and hotels.

    Eyewitness accounts of the accident

    Austin Schmelz was working at the time of the incident. He said he and Matthew Smith, who was also working, heard noises. Looking behind him, Schmelz saw someone fall. Schmelz said he looked over a railing and saw the person face first on the ground.

    Schmelz said he told Smith to call 911 and they both ran to help the victim. He said he was able to right Martinez and stabilize him.

    Smith told the Star-Banner that he and Schmelz were in an elevator inside the building. Trained in CPR, Smith performed life-saving treatment on Martinez until paramedics arrived on the scene.

    Both men said they did not witness the incident and that Martinez was working above them. The men said they were doing pipe work at the construction site.

    Expression of pain

    Schmelz said he was traumatized and had never seen anything like it before.

    Smith extends his condolences to Martinez’s family and wishes he could have done more to help the victim. The men said they did not know Martinez and had never seen him on duty.

    Smith and Schmelz work for Rays Metal Works Inc., a Gainesville company that is one of the subcontractors on the job. A person who answered the phone at the Gainesville company told a Star-Banner reporter that Martinez worked for another subcontractor but did not know his name.

    Top coverage: World Equestrian Center stories and photos from the Ocala Star Banner

    Grief counselors were made available and workers were given time to grieve if needed, Smith said.

    Schmelz said it was a safety meeting and a moment of silence for Martinez.

    Contact Austin L. Miller at [email protected]

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