By Nicole Breskin

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS — A construction worker at a new Columbia University building was struck in the head by a metal beam Thursday, police and witnesses said.

The Turner Construction company worker, who was not identified, was on an upper floor of the campus building on Broadway at 119th Street when he was injured, witnesses said.

"He just walked right into the beam and bumped his head," said one colleague, who asked not to be identified.

The victim was struck on the right side of the face and was taken to the hospital, witnesses said. Officials for Turner Construction, which oversees the project, did not return calls for comment.

“He was OK, he was still standing and walking around when the ambulance came,” another worker said.

The 14-story building, known as the Northwest Corner Building, is slated to be completed in 2010, according to the University’s website. 

The building recently drew the ire of Columbia’s astronomy department, where professors told DNAinfo they’re angry that the upper levels block their views of the night sky, including Venus.

It has been under construction since 2007.