URGENT UPDATE: The Boring Company has suspended tunneling operations in Las Vegas following a serious worker injury reported late Wednesday night. The incident occurred at approximately 10:12 p.m. local time, prompting emergency responders to rush to the site after a call about an “industrial/machinery incident,” according to a report from Fortune.
Initial reports indicate that a worker suffered a “crushing injury” while operating machinery within the tunnel, which is being expanded to connect to Las Vegas Airport. The Clark County Fire Department dispatched an 18-person rescue crew to the scene, utilizing a crane to extract the injured individual from the tunnel. The worker has since been transported to a local hospital and is currently reported to be stable, although details regarding the severity of the injuries remain unclear.
The Boring Company, founded by Elon Musk, has faced scrutiny over worker safety in the past, with multiple citations from Nevada’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration highlighting serious incidents, including a notable concrete bin collapse at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Following these events, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reportedly adopted a more stringent approach to safety protocols.
This latest incident marks a significant disruption for The Boring Company, which has been actively expanding its network of tunnels in Las Vegas. Since launching its initial 1.5-mile tunnel route at the convention center in 2021, the company has made efforts to create a larger transportation network, with approvals for up to 68 miles of tunnels. Originally envisioned as a high-speed transit system, the current operations involve slower travel in standard Tesla vehicles with human drivers, deviating from Musk’s initial vision of autonomous pods.
Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, and further updates will be provided as more information is released. The Boring Company has not responded to inquiries regarding the incident at this time.
This breaking news story highlights the critical need for safety in large-scale construction projects and raises questions about worker protections amidst ambitious infrastructure expansions. Stay tuned for additional updates as this story develops.
