UPDATED at 4 p.m. with information from railroad police.

ST. LOUIS • A railroad employee fell to his death from the MacArthur Bridge Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Carter Perry, 57, who worked for the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis, was working on the railroad bridge at South Sixth and Gratiot streets when he stepped onto an unsecured metal walkway about 12:50 p.m., according to St. Louis police. The walkway gave way and Perry fell.

He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police have ruled Perry's death accidental.

George Muraski, chief of police for Terminal Railroad, said Perry had been employed with the railroad since 1975. He was a resident of Belleville.

"He was a very, very nice person," Muraski said. "He was friendly and always smiled."

Muraski said the railroad is assisting the Federal Railroad Association with an investigation of the incident.