Worker Falls 7 Stories into Glass Atrium at Court Suites Hotel

ARLINGTON, Va. - A 35-year-old construction worker from the Hallmark Ironworks Company fell seven stories to his death Wednesday. Investigators say he was working on a balcony at the Arlington Court Suites Hotel.

The railings had been removed.

"He was wearing a harness, but we don't know if he was tied in," Chief Fire Marshal Benjamin Barksdale said.

The victim crashed through the glass atrium and landed on some scaffolding where he died.

The Virginia Occupation, Safety, and Health Administration is also investigating. Spokesman Jennifer Webster says attention will focus on the company's fall protection gear.

The human resources director at Hallmark says this is the first fatal accident at the 44-year-old company.