How Did a Crane Malfunction Affect Three Workers Near the West Virginia County Line?

 For three construction workers on a West Virginia bridge, an ordinary Tuesday morning turned into a devastating emergency. Among them was Mickey W. Swisher, 30, of Morgantown, whose life ended following a construction accident on the I-79 bridge over White Day Creek Road on September 22, 2026.

The incident occurred around 9:45 a.m. at Mile Marker 142.5, near the Marion and Monongalia county line. According to West Virginia State Police, a heavy crane malfunction caused concrete barriers to strike three workers, sending them falling from the bridge. The sudden chain of events resulted in a fatal outcome for Swisher.

Emergency crews responded as the seriousness of the industrial accident became clear. Swisher suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, while two other workers were injured and transported for medical treatment. The incident left responders managing both an urgent rescue operation and the consequences of an irreversible loss.

For investigators, the focus turned toward understanding how the crane malfunction occurred and what circumstances surrounded the workers’ positions when the concrete barriers struck. Authorities continued working at the scene to establish the details of the tragedy. The available account confirms the equipment failure and resulting injuries but does not provide additional findings about the investigation.

Swisher’s family was notified following the incident, delivering news that no family should have to receive. A workday that began with routine responsibilities instead became a moment of profound personal devastation. For those closest to him, the official description of the accident could never fully express the weight of losing someone at just 30 years old.

Morgantown was identified as Swisher’s home, connecting his name to a place where family relationships, friendships, and everyday experiences formed part of his story. Beyond the bridge, the machinery, and the emergency response was an individual whose life mattered to people who knew him personally. Those human connections remain central to understanding the loss.

The tragedy also affected two additional workers who survived the incident but required medical attention. Their injuries add another painful dimension to an accident that disrupted multiple lives in a matter of moments. While the available information does not identify their conditions or provide further details, their transport for treatment was confirmed.

As the circumstances surrounding the crane malfunction continue to receive attention, Mickey W. Swisher’s death stands as a solemn reminder of the risks present in demanding construction work. His memory extends beyond the accident report, preserved through the people who loved him, valued his presence, and now face the difficult task of moving forward without him.