Two workers die after falling at construction site near Disney World, authorities say

The scene of the construction accident. Photo / Orange County Fire Rescue

Two construction workers fell seven stories and died while working on a hotel outside the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, authorities said.

Mike Jachles, a spokesman for Orange County Fire Rescue, said several workers were pouring concrete between the sixth and seventh floors at a hotel under construction near Disney World in Orlando, Florida, when the scaffolding they were standing on collapsed. Two workers fell to their deaths, Jachles said, and a third "clung to the scaffolding and pulled himself up."

Jachles said the third worker suffered minor injuries. A fourth worker escaped uninjured, Jachles said.

The victims who died were identified by authorities as Jerry Bell, 46, and Lorenzo Zavala, 34. A spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Ingrid Tejada-Monforte, said the injured worker is a 36-year-old male, but she did not release his name.

Authorities responded to a call about an industrial accident at a JW Marriott hotel under construction adjacent to the Bonnet Creek Resort in an unincorporated area of Orange County,according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

The hotel is among others that are set to be completed in 2019, Tejada-Monforte said.

A Marriott spokesman called it "a terrible accident."

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident that took place earlier today," the spokesman said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the workers who died."

He said he could not comment further because the construction project is managed by the developer.

Authorities said no foul play is suspected at this time. Local and federal authorities are investigating.

A spokesman for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed that the agency has opened an investigation.