Harbeson – The Delaware State Police are investigating an industrial accident that claimed the life of a Bridgeville man, according to Director of Public Information, Sgt. Richard Bratz.
On October 5, 2018, at approximately 8:54 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a CPR in progress at a business, in the 18000 block of Harbeson Road, for an accident involving serious head trauma.
The preliminary investigation has determined that a 59-year-old employee at the business was seriously injured as he and another employee attempted to change the battery on a pallet jack, according to Bratz. The new replacement battery was secured in an electric hoist. While the battery was being lowered via the electric lever the corner of the new battery got hung up on the corner of another battery that was sitting stationary next to the jack, according to Bratz.
The employee was leaning forward in an attempt to manually guide the new battery onto the jack away from the obstruction, said Bratz. After the new battery cleared the obstruction it continued to lower in a downward motion. The horizontal block portion part of the hoist struck the employee, added Bratz.
The employee was transported by EMS to the Beebe Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Bratz said that there are no signs of foul play and the body was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science.
Detectives are continuing their investigation.