By DIANTÉ MARIGNY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
A 25-year-old Donna man died after a workplace accident at SpaceX’s Starbase facility near Boca Chica just days before the company’s highly anticipated Starship Flight 12 launch.
Authorities identified the worker as Jose Bautista. Cameron County officials said Bautista died Friday after falling from scaffolding at the SpaceX site. Preliminary information indicated he suffered blunt force trauma following the fall.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, has opened an investigation into the incident.
The accident occurred as SpaceX crews continued preparations for the twelfth test flight of Starship, the company’s next-generation rocket system being developed at Starbase in Cameron County. Flight 12 is expected to debut redesigned Starship and Super Heavy vehicles along with upgraded Raptor engines and a new launch pad configuration.
Despite the fatal accident, SpaceX continues targeting a May 21 launch for the mission.
Reports indicated emergency responders were initially dispatched to the facility before SpaceX’s internal emergency personnel took over the scene. Cameron County officials later determined the incident was non-criminal.
The incident has renewed attention on workplace safety at SpaceX facilities. Federal records show OSHA has issued multiple safety citations involving the company in recent years, including alleged violations tied to equipment inspections and workplace injury reporting.
Starbase, formerly known as Boca Chica Village, serves as SpaceX’s primary testing and production site for the Starship program and has undergone rapid expansion in recent years.
Comments