Work at a New York City construction site has been suspended after a worker plunged to his death Thursday, falling more than 50 feet into a deep pit on Manhattan's West Side. 

The site near Hudson Yards is part of the massive, federally-funded Gateway Project aimed at upgrading rail tunnels connecting New York and New Jersey, which last week President Trump suggested he was terminating the funding for. 

Worker fell near concrete wall that was poured yesterday, FDNY chief says

The man was working on a freshly-poured concrete wall inside the excavation site at 12th Avenue and 30th Street, known as the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing project, when he fell just before 9 a.m., according to the FDNY. 

Firefighters and EMS crews rushed to the scene, with heavy equipment and ropes to reach the fallen worker. 

"Within minutes they set up a highpoint anchor and lowered a stokes basket. And about five to 10 minutes after that, they were able to hoist the victim up," FDNY Battalion Chief Anthony Romano said.

The man was unconscious when first responders got to the bottom of the pit. Chopper 2 flew overhead as EMS could be seen performing CPR on the victim.

He was placed onto a stretcher, hoisted up with a crane and taken to a local hospital before being pronounced dead.

"They determined there was no pulse and no breathing," Romano said. "[He] was working approximately 50 feet up on the northern wall. It was a foundation wall that was poured yesterday. We do not know how or why he fell." 

"All work is suspended" on the construction site

Gateway, one of the nation's most complex infrastructure projects, is expected to replace and expand the aging rail system beneath the surface of the Hudson River.

After the president's comments, Tri-State Area leaders vowed the work would continue. But the accidental death of a worker has raised questions about safety and protocols. 

In a joint statement with Related Companies, Gateway Development Commission and Amtrak confirmed the Hudson Yards construction site worker was employed by the New York Concrete Corporation. 

"Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time," their statement said, adding, "All work is suspended on the [Hudson Yards] site while the incident is under investigation." 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said it is investigating what caused the worker to fall and whether safety measures were being followed.   

"It's really sad, because sometimes you leave in the morning and you don't know if you're coming back," another worker said. "Their number one priority is safety. They don't care about anything else. They don't care how long it takes, safety first." 

Last week, construction workers could be seen digging up massive piles of dirt and maneuvering around a deep trench that is being prepared for tunnel boring.