RALEIGH  -- Authorities have confirmed three deaths after a scaffolding collapsed at an 11 story building in downtown Raleigh. It happened around 11 a.m. when the construction platform fell from high up on the Charter Square building. The incident happened shortly before 11 a.m. Monday morning.

The City of Raleigh Police Department has identified the three as Jose Erasmo Hernandez, 41, Durham; Jose Luis Lopez-Ramirez, 33, Clinton; and Anderson Almeida, 33, Durham. Injured in the accident was Elmer Guevara, 53, no hometown information available.  Guevara was taken to WakeMed.

The scaffold collapsed just before 11 a.m. Monday.

Charter Square is an 11-story building offering office space at Lenoir and Fayetteville streets adjacent to Duke Energy Performing Arts Center, Raleigh Convention Center and the Raleigh Marriott City Center. The $54 million building is set to open in May.

Choate, the overall contractor on the project, said the scaffolding was a "mast climber" design, which is a platform that goes up the side of a building on a vertical column. It was in the process of being lowered when it came down.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries suffered during this incident. Our first and primary concern is for these personnel and their families. We request your thoughts and prayers at this time," read a statement from Choate.

The company said a full investigation into how it happened is underway. State and federal construction accident investigators were seen at the accident site.

The City of Raleigh said in a news release that it does not inspect scaffolding systems at construction sites. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina, the N.C. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Division has up to six months from the date of an accident to issue citations if any violations of the act are found.

Dean MacCarther told WTVD he first heard a snapping sound, then witnessed the scaffold fall from the 11-story building under construction on Fayetteville St. and Lenoir St.

MacCarther says he ran to the scene to offer his assistance but was prevented from entering the scene ...  he says he saw three workers on the scaffold, and a fourth worker near a "port-a-let" in the parking lot of the construction site.