Family remembers Jacksonville construction worker who fell 10 stories to his death

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. —

Family remembers Jacksonville construction worker who fell 10 stories to his death

A Jacksonville man plunged to his death at a construction site in Jacksonville Beach on Wednesday.

Police said Paul Knight, 49, was working on the balconies at the Pelican Point Condominium on First Street when he fell 10 stories.

Investigators said Knight was using a safety harness, but it somehow dislodged.

RELATED STORY: Man dies after falling 10 stories while working on Jacksonville Beach condo building

James Carr said his stepson had worked in the construction industry for about 15 years but had only been on this job site for a few weeks.

“He liked doing the work,” Carr said. “He wasn’t real fond of heights, so this was a new one for him.”

He said Knight knew the dangers of the job.

“He was prepared for it,” Carr said. “Just anytime you get on a job like that, you make one mistake, you see what happens.”

Carr called Knight’s death a terrible tragedy.

“According to what [police] said, he just hooked on something that wasn’t secure enough, and it just didn’t hold him,” Carr said.

He remembers Knight as a hardworking handyman who had a huge heart.

“He was a really kindhearted soul,” Carr said. “I love him like my own son, and he loved me like his dad.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, opened an investigation into the man’s death. The Jacksonville Beach Police Department is also investigating.

OSHA stated when a construction worker is off the ground 6 feet or higher, fall protection is required, such as a safety harness.

The police report lists the construction company as Engineered Restorations, Inc., out of Georgia.

Records reveal the company was cited by OSHA three times in 2017 for violations, two of which resulted in fines.

Action News Jax called the business and left a voicemail but is still waiting for a response.

Cox Media Group