Wind Apparently A Factor In Quick Chek Construction Site Accident, Police Say

High winds most likely contributed to the collapse Wednesday of the Quick Chek building that was under construction on Route 9 at the corner of Butler Boulevard in Bayville.

"High winds appear to be a factor in blowing the [roof] trusses over, and they fell into the store," said Detective Sgt. James J. Smith of the Berkeley Township Police Department.

The accident occured at 9:34 a.m. on a rainy, windy morning.

Five construction workers were injured in the accident. Four workers were treated and released from Community Medical Center, while a fifth patient was transported yesterday from Community to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, according to Jean Flaherty, communications director at Community Medical Center.

The names of the construction workers and the condition of the worker taken to Jersey Shore have not been released.

An investigator with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was on site yesterday compiling information on the accident. A spokesperson confirmed that OSHA has opened an investigation with a Phillipsburg subcontracting company, Fredericks Contracting LLC, working on the site.

Company President Frederick Fulper said he could not comment on the investigation. "I can't tell you anything at this time," he said.

"The injuries ranged from back pain to broken legs," Smith said yesterday. 

The president of the main construction company, James G. Petrucci, said the company's safety director is working with OSHA and the local authorities to determine why the accident occured. 

"...We look forward to restoring the project and the safe return to the jobsite of all involved," said Petrucci.

Quick Chek does not yet have possession of the property, according to the president and CEO of Quick Chek, Dean Durling.

"...At this early construction stage Quick Chek does not have any involvement or possession of the property in question," Durling said in a prepared statement.

"We anticipate the Petrucci Company will make a full investigation of the incident and share its findings with our company and the community at large in the days ahead," he went on to say. "This incident does not change our plans for taking possession of the property at the completion of construction sometime in early 2012. Meanwhile, we wish the Petrucci workers involved a speedy and safe recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured construction workers and their families.”