This story has been updated

Part of a large tree collapsed this morning at the corner of Independence Avenue and First Street SE, striking and killing a maintenance employee who was working nearby.

The Architect of the Capitol identified the man as Matthew McClanahan, a pipefitter in the maintenance division of the U.S. Capitol Grounds. McClanahan was working on an irrigation pipe when a branch of an American Elm tree fell.

“Please keep his family, friends and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers said in a statement.

The tree fell around 9:15 a.m., near the Cannon House Office Building, just down the street from the U.S. Capitol. McClanahan was transported to the hospital by D.C. Fire and EMS in “very critical condition.”

Independence Avenue has been closed to traffic between First Street SW to First Street SE and will remain so until further notice, according to the U.S. Capitol Police. Grounds crews are inspecting the tree and working to remove the remainder of the tree.

Reporters on the scene earlier this morning said that additional branches have fallen down on their own, and the area is cordoned off.

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