Police: Property owner crushed by falling wall during home construction

MERCER ISLAND -- A 40-year-old man is dead following a construction accident at his Mercer Island home, police said.

Around 7 p.m. Wednesday, the man went to check in on ongoing construction to his property in the 8800 block of SE 39th Street. While the owner was there, workers attempted to raise a wall to the new home. During the process, Mercer Island police said, workers were unable to get the wall in place and the new construction slipped.

Construction crews abandoned their efforts, and quickly jumped away while the wall fell. However, the property owner, who had apparently jumped in to assist, was crushed when the wall fell on him.

Workers on the site rushed to the man and performed CPR.  He was taken to Overlake Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. He leaves behind a wife and two young children, police said.

Mercer Island detectives are investigating and the Department of Labor and Industry was notified.