Family pleads for answers as search continues for missing worker after Loop Parkway collapse

Another story. We told you about this earlier this week, and we didn't want it to get lost in all of the breaking news that we've had this week, but there is a New Jersey family waiting for word about a man named Diogo de Oliveira. He's a 38-year-old construction worker who fell into the water when scaffolding collapsed beneath the Loop Parkway Bridge that's out on Long Island. That's him right here. The accident happened just before noon on Wednesday. Eight contractors were working on the bridge. Two fell into Reynolds Channel. Another gentleman named Clayton de Medeiros, 39, was pulled from the water and died. Six other workers were injured. But again, Diogo de Oliveira is technically still missing. Search crews had been there. They were looking. The weather turned. It's unclear exactly what's going on out there this morning, but we do know that his family and his friends are desperate for answers. We want to talk to them now. They are on the line. Mariana, I don't know, can you hear me, Mariana? Do you hear me? Yes, yes. Can you hear me okay? I hear you just fine. Mariana, introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your connection to the family. Hi, I'm a friend of the family, and I'm only speaking for them because they just don't feel comfortable speaking at the moment, but they really wanted someone to come and talk for them. Diogo is an absolutely wonderful man, a devoted father of four, including two very young children. His youngest, Jean, is only three years old. His wife, Thaisa, and the four kids are just heartbroken. And they're appealing to the authorities to intensify the search within safety limits because they don't want anyone to be unsafe, but they hope that the search workers can continue searching for Diogo safely, particularly at the location that they shared with the police, where it's the last location from their phone, which is a little bit away from the bridge. Thank you very much. They would really like to know if the police or Coast Guard was able to find his gear, his clothes, his cell phone. They're very concerned that his clothes and gear were very, very heavy. And I cannot say enough about what a wonderful, loving family this is and what a devoted man, extremely hardworking Diogo was. And I hope that everyone working on the search for him can think of him the same way as they think of their father or uncle or grandfather who took care of everyone in the family and turned anyone and everyone into their family. Because this is an extremely, extremely special man that we're going to miss so much if he's not home with his family soon. And Mariana speaking on behalf of the De Oliveira family. And again, if you're just joining us, 38-year-old Diogo De Oliveira is a construction worker who fell into the water when scaffolding collapsed beneath the Loop Parkway Bridge. out on Long Island. Those are the images there. This happened actually on the same day that we had the building collapse in Brooklyn. Two high profile stories sort of happening at the same time and we did not want this story to get lost because this man, Diogo, is still missing this morning. He is a father, a father of four, and he fell into the water and at this point his body has not been located yet. Mariana, what have authorities told you Have you told the family or have they heard from the company who he was working for? Has anybody told them anything about what's going on right now? Not right now, but the family has been in touch with the sheriffs and they have sent the sheriffs information about the last known GPS. And what does this family need most right now? I think they need most to hear from the authorities about the search and to know that someone is searching for Diego. And as you look at it, this is a man who had four kids. His youngest son right there, did you say he was about to turn three years old? Thank you. Three and about to turn four. And three and about to turn four. And so in a sense, he was someone who goes to work every day, Paycheck to paycheck, trying to make things happen. And he goes to work on this day and just never comes home. I mean, that's essentially what happened in the family. To this point, has no idea where he is and what happened to him after he fell into the water here. Yes. And, you know, they are an extremely hardworking family, all of them. They just purchased their first home and moved here just a month ago. You know, they were working very hard. Building their lives here, and then this happens. Yeah, well, we are wishing all the best to the de Oliveira family. The search for Diogo de Oliveira, 38 years old, fell into the water. When scaffolding, he was working on collapse beneath the loop parkway bridge out on Long Island. I don't know if there's a GoFundMe or anything like that that's set up at this point, Mariana, that you could tell us about. If not, People can scan the QR code that's on our screen right there. If you want to try to get in touch, we'll try to keep your information. Or you can email me. My email is dan.bowens at fox.com. And we'll try to get you in touch with the family. And Mariana, we appreciate it. All the best to the family. We are hoping that there will be some kind of positive news, if at the very least some closure of some kind. Mariana, thank you. And all the best to Taizi and the entire family.