The identity of a man who was injured in a ship accident has been released and now his son is speaking out.
Investigators say Andre Futrell, 50, and his co-worker Hercules Gilmore, 56, were in the hull of the ship when 10 tons of steel pipes came crashing down on Tuesday.
Detectives say a strap that was holding the bundle of pipes together broke as it was being offloaded by a crane at the Port of Tampa.
Gilmore was killed. Futrell is listed in fair condition at Tampa General Hospital.
Futrell’s son, Jarred, said his dad is ready to get back to work. Jarred said the only major injury his dad sustained in the industrial accident is a broken ankle.
"I remember the doctor mentioning that about three or four months he’ll have to do some, I guess rehab or whatever, and build his strength back up. But like I said, he’s in good spirits, ready to get back to work,” he said.
He said his dad knows being a longshoreman can be a dangerous job.
“It’s a tragedy. He did make it out, he’s in good spirits. So, we’re just praying for Hercules’ family,” he said.
We've been unable to reach Gilmore's family.
OSHA and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are now investigating the deadly accident.
Ports America operates the terminal where the ship was docked and offloading the steel pipes.
A spokeswoman for the company said their deepest thoughts and prayers are with both men and their families. She said Ports America makes safety a top priority in every operation and takes this tragedy very seriously.