Man Dies After Falling From Scaffolding in Boston’s Jamaica Plain

Tragedy Strikes Jamaica Plain Residential Renovation

High Winds Eyed as Investigators Scrutinize the Scene

First responders found the victim on the ground near the corner of Weld Hill Street and Hyde Park Avenue, Boston Fire District Chief Eric Vinitski said. The worker, identified by heartbroken family members as Manuel Chuqui, was performing exterior work between the second and third floors of the building when the fatal fall occurred. City property records show the four-to-six-unit apartment building is owned by Macdonald Realty Group LLC.

The exact cause of the fall remains under investigation by local authorities. Officials noted that gusty weather conditions swept through the area on Thursday afternoon, and investigators are examining whether wind played a factor in the incident. Vinitski confirmed that conditions were very windy at the time, though he was not on-site when the accident took place.

OSHA and IDR Construction Face Scrutiny

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified of the workplace fatality, according to Boston police. Representatives from the federal agency could not be reached for comment on Thursday night. City records indicate that IDR Construction Inc. filed a permit application on Tuesday to conduct short-term exterior renovations at the address, which included painting the entire exterior and replacing rotting cedar shingles. A request for comment sent to the construction company was not immediately answered.

Family Remembers a Dedicated Provider

Because the death was not classified as a homicide, Boston police stated that official police identification of the victim would likely not be publicly released through their department. However, grieving relatives spoke publicly to remember Chuqui as a dedicated family man who worked tirelessly to support them. Loved ones described a routine marked by early mornings and late nights dedicated entirely to labor. The investigation into the factors surrounding the fall is ongoing.