Central Corridor worker injured after being pinned under forklift

Light-rail crews suspended work on Tuesday for the day on a Minneapolis bridge where a forklift operator was injured.

The worker, from Ames Construction, was operating the equipment just off the train bridge over Interstate 35W when the forklift fell on top of him, trapping his right leg, according to Central Corridor spokeswoman Laura Baenen.

Construction workers used a front-end loader to lift the forklift off the man, Baenen said. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he underwent surgery. According to Central Corridor's Baenen, the worker lost his right foot and right hand. The worker has not been identified.

Investigators are looking into what caused the accident. It's the second serious injury on the Central Corridor project.

In June, an ironworker severely cut her hand, resulting in broken bones and tendons, while operating a drill on the Washington Avenue bridge. As of three weeks ago, she had not returned to work, Baenen said.

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