Construction workers fall into water under bridge heading to South Shore of Long Island

Multiple workers fell into the water as they were doing maintenance on a highway bridge leading to the South Shore of Long Island, sparking a search by police and first responders.

The incident occurred just before noon Wednesday on the Long Creek Bridge along the Loop Parkway heading to Point Lookout in Nassau County, according to state police. The highway span connects Point Lookout to the Meadowbrook State Parkway.

The crew had been doing work on the draw bridge when the scaffolding they were on somehow gave way, sending workers into the water.

Eight workers were hurt, state police said. While it wasn’t clear exactly how many of the workers ended up in the water, at least two did fall in. One was still unaccounted for as of 2:30 p.m., while first responders were conducting CPR on another. The condition of the latter was not clear.

Search and rescue teams from multiple agencies were at the scene, and police boats could be seen in the water below the span, with divers going in.

Loop Parkway was closed in both directions for hours, officials said, before the westbound side was reopened shortly before 3 p.m. Construction along the Loop Parkway has been going on for months, and recently the work has forced the bridge to be closed for extended periods of time.

An investigation is ongoing. New York State Police said further information would be provided later Wednesday.