Workers killed, hurt in arena floor collapse identified

HOLLAND, Mich. – Authorities have identified the construction workers killed and injured after a section of floor collapsed at a western Michigan arena.

The Holland Department of Public Safety says the collapse Tuesday at the Holland Civic Center killed 38-year-old Ruben Gomez-Vazques of Grand Rapids. He was pronounced dead at the scene after being trapped in debris for about 15 minutes.

It says injured worker 41-year-old Rafael Hernandez-Alvarez of Grand Rapids has been released from a hospital.

Both men worked for X-treme Demolition Inc., a subcontractor on the 63-year-old arena’s renovation.

Capt. Keith Mulder says the two were demolishing a small section of cement floor on the second level when it collapsed and both workers fell.

General contractor GO Construction said Wednesday that renovations have been halted while the collapse is investigated.