Anthony Yates
A worker at a cement plant in Arizona has died in a freak “industrial accident.” Authorities are not treating his death as suspicious.
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What happened: According to a report by KVOA, the incident occurred at a cement pit in the CalPortland facility in Swan on October 6. Authorities said they have ruled out third-party involvement or anything suspicious and declared the incident a tragic accident.
- The outlet reveals the victim’s identity as 26-year-old Omar Quihui, a married father.
- The Pima County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of an industrial accident on Monday evening. Officers reportedly found Quihui dead at the scene. “The victim was a technician, and he was working in their shop,” Sergeant Jesse Comeau explained. “As he was working under one of the vehicles, he got pinned underneath that vehicle.”
- The Sheriff’s department also ruled out negligence as a cause for the accident. “It looks like all the personal protection equipment was being utilized. There’s nothing suspicious.” Comeau said.
- One of Quihui’s co-workers reportedly wrote on social media, “RIP…. To the best mechanic we had. Thank you for showing hard work and kindness to everyone.”
Authorities Say Incidents Like The One At The Cement Plant Are Uncommon
A prolonged investigation: After ruling out any criminal activity, the Sergeant told KVOA that the department had contacted the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) and the State Mine Inspector.
- Authorities stressed that fatal incidents like this are uncommon. “I was talking with the mining inspector last night. I think they said this was the first one they’ve had in four years,” Comeau explained. He also noted that CalPortland was fully cooperating with the investigation.
- A reporter for the outlet spoke with a worker for ADOSH, who said investigations like this can take up to five months to complete.
Another industrial accident: A pizza plant worker was fatally injured in Milwaukee last month after getting crushed by machinery. Emergency services arrived, but declared the worker dead at the scene.
- Many details about the incident remain unclear. Palermo’s Pizza released a statement saying, “The tragic accident that took an employee’s life earlier today is a terrible incident that is being fully investigated.”
- OSHA has reportedly opened an inquiry into the accident.
