PORTAGE, Ind. (AP) — A construction worker who was struck in the back by a falling beam has died of his injuries.

Portage police say 54-year-old Gary Komacko of Schererville was working at a construction site at the Ameriplex development Tuesday when a 500 pound beam fell 15 feet and struck him on the back.

He died later that evening at a hospital.

Indiana Department of Labor spokesman Sean Keefer says an investigator with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration is looking into the incident. He says officials don’t know yet how the beam fell, but would issue a report in a few weeks.

Keefer says Komacko was an iron worker with Great Lakes Steel Construction.

Posted 4/3/2008