Published on: January 15, 2026, 12:42h.
Updated on: January 15, 2026, 12:42h.
- A construction elevator collapsed during its dismantling at Turning Stone on Tuesday afternoon.
- Five employees sustained injuries, with one being hospitalized in stable condition as of Wednesday.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating while the Oneida Nation’s $370 million resort expansion continues.
One construction worker remained hospitalized in stable condition Wednesday after a construction elevator fell at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Oneida, New York, on Tuesday afternoon. Four additional workers affected by the incident were treated and discharged, as reported by The Post-Standard.
The collapse occurred at approximately 4 p.m., as a construction team was deconstructing an exterior elevator associated with the current expansion of the resort. The elevator fell from the second floor to the ground during the dismantling process, stated Joel Barkin, a spokesperson for the Oneida Indian Nation, in an interview with the Syracuse-based publication.
No Guests Injured
At the time of the accident, the elevator was not operational, which meant that no individuals were inside. The injuries reported were likely due to impact or debris falling during the collapse, but further specifics regarding the circumstances of the elevator’s fall have yet to be disclosed.
The incident is believed to have occurred in a construction zone that was restricted to staff, with no guests affected. Barkin mentioned that the timeline for the overarching development project is expected to remain unchanged.
The elevator had been in use for approximately a year as part of a $370 million expansion plan titled “Turning Stone Evolution,” marking the most significant upgrade since the resort’s inception in 1993.
This multi-year initiative, which began in 2023, aims to vastly enhance the resort’s hospitality and convention capabilities.
Plans entail the addition of a new 258-room hotel tower, upgrades to over 825 existing guest rooms, and a new 77,000-square-foot convention center that will substantially expand the resort’s current event spaces. Furthermore, a 30,000-square-foot ballroom overlooking Shenandoah Golf Course and The Lodge’s Great Lawn, alongside a 1,600-space parking garage, is also in the works.
No Project Delays Expected
The Oneida Indian Nation has expressed that this expansion will establish Turning Stone as New York’s largest venue for meetings and conventions. Initially anticipated for completion in 2027, the tribe indicated in October that construction is progressing ahead of schedule.
The new hotel tower, referred to as The Crescent, is expected to start accepting reservations on June 29, 2026, with the Grand Expo convention center slated to open on Labor Day.
The cause of Tuesday’s incident has not yet been determined. Barkin confirmed that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has initiated an investigation. Typically, this agency examines removal processes, rigging, and temporary support systems in relation to construction-related incidents.