, October 8, 2025

News Summary

A tragic incident occurred at the Van Meter School District construction site when a 33-year-old construction worker fell 30 feet and was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency responders, including police and fire departments, swiftly arrived to provide assistance, but their efforts were in vain. The name of the victim has not been disclosed, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the fall. The incident emphasizes the need for stringent safety measures on construction sites to prevent such fatalities.

Van Meter, Iowa – Construction Worker Dies After Fall at School Construction Site

A construction worker lost his life following a tragic fall from a height of 30 feet at the Van Meter School District construction site on Tuesday, October 7. The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. as workers were engaged in the construction of a new building on the school campus.

The victim, a 33-year-old male contractor whose name has not been publicly released, suffered serious injuries from the fall. Emergency response teams were swift to react, with personnel from the Van Meter Police and Fire departments, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County EMS, DeSoto Fire Department, and MercyOne all arriving at the scene to provide assistance. A school resource officer was present on-site and started performing CPR before the medical team’s arrival.

Air evacuation was initiated when a MercyOne helicopter landed on a softball field adjacent to the school. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of the emergency responders, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The identity of the deceased is being withheld to allow for family notifications. A representative from Story Construction confirmed that the victim was a bid package contractor working on the project.

Van Meter Police Chief Mike Brown expressed condolences on behalf of the police department, reaching out to the family, friends, and colleagues affected by this tragic event. The police department is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been notified about the workplace accident.

As this situation develops, Chief Brown assures the community that additional information will be shared as it becomes available. The construction site has been secured as an investigation site to ensure a complete and thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the fatal fall.

Investigation Ongoing

The focus of the investigation will likely involve assessing safety protocols and procedures that were in place at the construction site at the time of the incident. Preliminary inquiries will seek to determine if there were any violations of safety standards that may have contributed to the worker’s fall.

Context of the Incident

Construction work can often be hazardous, with falls being a leading cause of fatalities in the industry. This incident highlights the importance of stringent safety measures and training for workers on construction sites. OSHA has strict regulations in place to ensure that all construction activities adhere to safety standards, which aim to reduce the risk of accidents like the one that occurred in Van Meter.

The Van Meter School District is currently coordinating with the contractor to ensure the safety and well-being of its students and staff, amidst this unfortunate event. The community will likely continue to support the victim’s family as they navigate the aftermath of this tragedy.

Conclusion

In summary, a construction worker died on October 7 after falling 30 feet at a construction site for the Van Meter School District. The incident is under investigation, and details will be disclosed as they become available.

FAQ

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MnDOT Implements Safety Pause to Honor Fallen Workers

Additional Resources

• KCCI News
• Des Moines Register
• WHO 13 News
• We Are Iowa
• Wikipedia: Construction Accidents
• Google Search: Van Meter School District Construction Incident

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