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Worker Killed In Construction Accident Identified Save Email Print
22 comments
A | A | A

(July 11, 2008)—Police have identified the worker who died Friday morning after a large metal beam fell on him as Jimmy Ralph Downing, 49, of Bellmead.

Downing worked for Barsh Construction, police said.

The accident happened around 8 a.m. at what used to be the Waco Target store near the intersection of Sanger Avenue and North Highway 6 in Waco.

A construction crew was installing steel beams for a building addition when one of beams fell after it had been tack welded in place, striking Downing.

Paramedics performed CPR on Downing at the scene.

He was taken to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Waco police taped off the scene at the construction site while an investigation was underway.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified of the worksite fatality.
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Posted by: Tracy Location: Lake Jackson, TX on Jul 18, 2008 at 06:28 PM
Jimmy Downing was - and still is - my brother. I sit here with tears in my eyes, a week after his death, and still can't believe he is gone. I have talked with the individuals at Barsh Construction, and they are grieving as well. Barsh considered Jimmy to be a member of their extended family. I don't blame the photographers or editors for airing this story... The hard part is that this story can't tell anyone how hard Jimmy worked or how much he loved his daughter and his family. This story doesn't tell that he survived cancer or survived losing his parents in recent years. This story doesn't tell that he loved to fish, and that he loved the beach. It doesn't mention any of the details that endeared him to his family and friends. He was a proud, strong man, with his own opinions and views. As depicted here, he was only a victim. In his life, he not a victim - he was a survivor. He was my big brother, and I will cherish his memory the rest of my life. God bless, and take care.
Posted by: gae Location: erie ks on Jul 18, 2008 at 10:29 AM
i am jimmy's exwife, but we were still good friends. thank you all for your prayers and comments. He was a good man and will be missed. Thank you to all who tried to save him. i love u april
Posted by: april Location: ottawa kansas on Jul 18, 2008 at 09:50 AM
jimmy was my dad i miss him very much. please keep us in your prayers
Posted by: joe Location: temple on Jul 14, 2008 at 10:27 AM
BOTH WACO HOSPITALS SUCK!! NEITHER SHOULD GET TRAUMAS!!!!!
Posted by: Diane Location: Waco on Jul 13, 2008 at 11:05 AM
I knew Jimmy personally, and he was a fine man, and a very good friend.I just want everyone to remember that there were other people that witnessed this tragedy, and they are suffering also. We all need to be supportive of the company and the crew. Barsh Company is not just a construction company, it is a construction Family. And I am proud to be a member of this family. So please include in your prayers the entire family that has lost a member that was dear to them.
Posted by: Jack Location: Lorena on Jul 12, 2008 at 01:44 AM
When I hear this video was online I was outraged. However, after watching it, the photographer and editor did a professional job of making sure there was no facial shots or close ups of the victim. The video could have been much worse. The only exception I take is it appears as if this video was posted online before any family members were notified. I don't know this to be fact I am just going by the times these comments were posted. If this is the case KWTX could and should have waited at least until next of kin was notified. I am a former reporter and news director and I know quick decisions need to be made and you always want to be first with a big story, but sometimes courtesy and common sense has to come into play. In order to be the first media outlet to get the story of this poor man's death on the air KWTX made a rush to judgement and in my opinion it was done in poor taste and without concern for the feelings of the Downing family.
Posted by: T Location: Waco,tx on Jul 12, 2008 at 12:11 AM
I am very sadded by this,I have worked construction in waco for 16 yrs.Mabe our local citizens are seeing how dangerous our jobs really are,And give us some respect for doing our jobs,We are not trash because we choose this career,If it wasnt for construction workers waco,tx.would not be what it is today... I new Jimmy personally he was a fine gentleman,My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time..
Posted by: pablo zacora Location: Waco on Jul 11, 2008 at 08:32 PM
My thoughts and prayers.....
Posted by: shocked Location: waco on Jul 11, 2008 at 08:00 PM
I completly agree with S ... this video does not need to be on here out of respect for this man and his family... that is just poor judgement from the one who posted this story... my thoughts and prayers are with this family during this difficult time!!
Posted by: Jeremy Location: Gatesville on Jul 11, 2008 at 05:08 PM
To S: Why are you trying so hard to blame people for things that happened in this story? First the people who worked very hard to try and save this man's life, and then KWTX for reporting news. I agree that this is a tragedy, and if the family is reading this my thoughts and prayers are with you all, but you can't go around blaming people for doing their jobs. Nobody is to blame, that is why we use the work accident in this case. People do their jobs the best that they can, some jobs are dangerous and accidents happen, nobody is to blame for it.
Posted by: LN Location: Robinson on Jul 11, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Hillcrest is a Level II trauma center. They are best equipped in staff and equipment to deal with major trauma. Trauma's don't have to go there, it is just the right thing to do considering their capabilities. Prayers to the Downing family and the Barsh Company.
Posted by: me on Jul 11, 2008 at 04:52 PM
yes KWTX no family should have to see there loved one in this state this man probably has children that watch TV and would see the paramedics doing CPR. How sad. I had this happen to me when I lost my father in a motor vehicle accident. Seeing it on TV made me so angry. My thoughts and prayers with his family and friends at Barsh
Posted by: Gerry Location: Cameron on Jul 11, 2008 at 04:39 PM
My deepest sympathy to the family. I too have worked construction. A very, very dangerous job that too many take for granted.
Posted by: S Location: Waco on Jul 11, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Our thoughts go out to the Barsh Family. It is horrible for the family to see this on the news. Shame on KWTX
Posted by: H Location: Texas on Jul 11, 2008 at 12:38 PM
To S. The reason why he was taken to Hillcrest is because they are a Level 1 or 2 Trauma. All trauma's have to go through them before they can be sent anywhere else.
Posted by: Texan Location: Texas on Jul 11, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Prayers for this man, his family and co-workers. May God be with you all in your time of grieving.
Posted by: R Location: Waco on Jul 11, 2008 at 11:04 AM
He was taken to Hillcrest because they are the Trauma Center in Waco, and Providence is not.
Posted by: Tamara Location: Waco on Jul 11, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Hillcrest is more equipped to deal with a serious trauma issue. I thought the same thing when my cousin was in a bad car wreck, the ambulance took her to Providence but then she was airlifted to Hillcrest when the realized it was more serious. Now don’t quote me on this, I’m just speaking on what I was told by a Hillcrest nurse when I asked.
Posted by: EMG Location: Waco on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:47 AM
What a horrible tragedy! Our prayers are with his family and the other workers!
Posted by: S Location: Robinson on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Why was he taken all the way across town to Hillcrest when Providence was right there?
Posted by: Susie Location: Central Texas on Jul 11, 2008 at 09:38 AM
My prayers will be with his family and co-workers!
Posted by: EVE Location: Waco on Jul 11, 2008 at 09:28 AM
What a trgedy but true. Construction is very dangerous. I always worry about my husband who is also in the construction business
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