ORLANDO, Fla. — Two construction workers died early Wednesday after a scaffold collapsed at a hotel construction site near Disney World, according to the Orange County Fire Rescue.

At about 4:15 a.m., authorities responded 14900 Chelonia Parkway near the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort. Workers were preparing to pour concrete near the seventh floor when the scaffolding collapsed.

Two workers, identified as 34-year-old Lorenzo Zavala and 46-year-old Jerry Bell, fell about 80 feet to the ground. They were pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.

A third worker was able to hold on and pull himself to safety, said Ingrid Tejade-Monforte, an Orange County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman. That worker had minor injuries. 

Zavala was a father of four, said his sister. Bell was engaged and a father of five.

Bell "was very intelligent, has pumped concrete for over 13 years..." fiancee Kathy Spence said. "He was a laid back homebody when he wasn't working. He worked hard to keep his friends and family happy." 

The incident happened at the site of an upcoming JW Marriott hotel, which is not on Disney property. 

There were at least a dozen and a half workers at the construction site at the time, Orange County Fire Rescue spokesman Michael Jachles told Spectrum News 13.

In a statement, PCL Construction Enterprises, which is building on the site, stated that it was shocked by what happened and offered its condolences.

"Safety of all workers is our top priority and we are doing everything we can to investigate this incident and assist local authorities. At this stage of the investigation, we have no further details other than what has already been reported by the authorities," said Rick Goldman, vice president and district manager.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened an investigation on this case. Experts tell Spectrum News the state of Florida is no stranger to deadly industrial and construction work incidents.

“Florida is ranked consistently as the number one state in the highest work related fatalities, consistently for the past 15 years,” said Don Van Dingenen, Attorney Worker’s Compensation.

Van Dingenen said OSHA needs to be looking at certain possible deficiencies with a fall case like this one.

“If it’s on a scaffold, the question is, it looks like it appears to be what we call a catastrophic failure, and that means either it was installed wrong, designed wrong or manufactured wrong,” said Van Dingenen.

Tejada-Monforte said the investigation is ongoing.

Reporters Deborah Souverain and Erin Murray contributed to this story.

Jerry Bell (left) was a father of 5 and engaged. Lorenzo Zavala was a father of 4. (Bell picture courtesy of Kathy Spence; Zavala picture courtesy of family)
Jerry Bell (left) was a father of 5 and engaged. Lorenzo Zavala was a father of 4. (Bell picture courtesy of Kathy Spence; Zavala picture courtesy of family)