One worker dead after parking garage stairwell collapse in Clearwater

Firefighters from multiple agencies responded to 2575 Enterprise Road in Clearwater at approximately 12:20 p.m. on Monday, December 20, 2021.

Reports indicated that multiple floors of a concrete external staircase collapsed in the parking garage next to several companies.

One victim, 23 year-male Mitchel Klock, is deceased as members of the Pinellas County Technical Rescue Team and structural engineer assisted with the incident.

Division Chief John Klinefelter briefs the media on the technical rescue call related to a stairwell collapse in a parking garage on Enterprise Road. pic.twitter.com/xEc5qYmS3T

— Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department (@clearwaterfire) December 20, 2021

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At the time of the collapse, workers were conducting some stairwell repairs when a portion of the stairwell collapsed, trapping one worker. Fire crews have not been able to enter the scene until the four-story parking garage is deemed to be safe.

A second worker was treated at the scene with non life-threatening injuries.

A private contractor remains on scene with equipment to dismantle the stairwell from the top down before any recovery process can begin.

Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are also on scene. The city’s Planning and Development Department is researching the permitting and construction history of the parking garage.

One of the pieces of heavy equipment brought in from elsewhere in Florida has arrived at the scene of the stairwell collapse. It will still be some time before work can begin on the stairwell later this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/JeFJkiipwV

— Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department (@clearwaterfire) December 21, 2021

The body of the victim in the stairwell collapse was recovered shortly before 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021. Crews worked throughout the night as part of the recovery process.

The family of Mitchel Thomas Klock has established a fundraising website to help pay for burial expenses. The GoFundMe page has been set up by the victim’s wife, Alexis Klock, and can be found:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-wife-bring-me-home-and-keep-me-safe?qid=6737dc0257e848c247b2a1649ddeb9da