Kleiton De Madeiros dies, Diogo De Oliveira missing after Loop Parkway bridge scaffolding collapse

The private contractors killed or still missing following Wednesday's scaffolding collapse underneath the Loop Parkway bridge have been identified as two men from New Jersey, according to the State Police.

Kleiton De Madeiros, 39, of Montclair, was identified as the man pulled from the water following the collapse, authorities said Thursday. 

Paramedics performed CPR on De Madeiros at the scene and he was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.

A second worker, missing since he fell into Long Creek below the bridge, was identified as Diogo De Oliveira, 38, of Elizabeth.

Both men work for Champion Painting in Holtsville, which holds the $13.8 million multilocation bridge contract.

State officials said the contract called for workers to repaint and repair steel at four bridges, including the Loop Parkway drawbridge. Officials said the work should be completed by the end of 2027.

A company official did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

De Oliveira’s sister walked down to the beach next to the bridge Thursday morning, joined by friends and family from New Jersey. She declined to discuss her missing brother or the ongoing search.

Efforts to reach De Madeiros' family were not immediately successful.

Eight workers were doing construction on the drawbridge when the scaffolding collapsed around 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday and two fell into the water, state police said.

Six additional workers involved in the incident did not fall into the water but sustained non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

On Friday morning, the search for De Oliveira resumed, as authorities canvassed the waters of Jones Bay and both sides of the bridge as light rain started to fall.

A Nassau police helicopter circled overhead while police boats from State and Nassau police searched both sides of the bridge, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and Bay Constable.

Meanwhile, State Police were stationed at the top of the bridge assisting investigators, including from federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to photograph and inspect the drawbridge. OSHA will investigate the incident since it's a workplace accident, officials said.

Traffic was briefly stopped over the 2.65-mile Loop Parkway as OSHA went to examine the top of the draw bridge as a siren wailed for the bridge to open.

Several Champion Painting vehicles were parked along the side of the bridge, through construction was stopped Thursday.

A few solemn spectators walked down to a nearby beach on East Alter Island and went to the water close to the bridge while the search resumed.

The search could be hindered by an incoming storm Thursday afternoon, with winds whipping on the grassy and sandy beach.

Records show that construction on the bridge, along with two others on the Meadowbrook State Parkway, has been ongoing since September as part of a contract with the state Department of Transportation "to help maintain their reliability and integrity."

Work includes maintenance on the bridge decks, the replacement of bridge joints, installation of new railings and addition of navigation lighting to improve visibility for maritime traffic.

The bridge, which runs off the Meadowbrook Parkway and Ocean Parkway at Jones Beach, is one of the primary routes to connect south Nassau County to the barrier island consisting of Point Lookout, Lido Beach, Long Beach and Atlantic Beach.

The bridge was built in 1934 and has been subject to frequent repairs and malfunctions.