Worker Clearing Wood Chipper Pulled To Death

Tampa Tribune ^ | July 7, 2005 | LAURA KINSLER lkinsler@tampatrib.com

[Cincinatus' Wife]

......He is the fourth person in the Tampa area to die in recent years after being pulled into a wood chipper. ...........``These kind of accidents are few and far between,'' Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesman J.D. Callaway said.

What an awful way to go.

[prisoner6]

Fargo redux....

prisoner6

[snarks_when_bored]

To do list:

• Pick up beer after work;
• Drop rent check off;
• Call girlfriend;
• Turn off woodchipper before trying to unclog it.

[Caipirabob]

Stephanek's grandmother, Mary Walker, said she was not worried about the child. ``She's tough,'' the woman said. ``Nothing bothers her unless she thinks she's going to get a whooping.''

She's tougher than I am. I am aghast reading this. Prayers for this man's next of kin and for the poor people affected by witnessing this tragedy.

[snarks_when_bored]

Black humor aside, you're right, that's an awful way to go. My condolences to the family of this unfortunate construction worker.

[redfreedom]

Yes, might be awful way to go, but for sure the guy was totally and completely dead in just seconds with practically no time for pain or anxiety.

[snarks_when_bored]

I think you're probably right, but I wouldn't want to verify that for myself.

[mmercier]

Ouch.

>> In a neighborhood hardened by crime and poverty, the death provided little more than a morbid distraction on an insufferably hot day. Crowds gathered in apartments across the street; some people drank beer.

I remember watching an informal little party that started in Revere after a suicide in which a homeless woman tossed herself in front of a train.

What a mess.

What a country.

[gridlock]

``I don't ever want to be a construction worker,'' he said. ``It's too dangerous.''

Being a construction worker is not dangerous, Luis. However, being a stupid construction worker can be very dangerous.

[ikka]

My guess: this guy was an illegal and thus not literate enough in English to read the warnings on the equipment.

[1FASTGLOCK45]

gridlock wrote:
"Being a construction worker is not dangerous, Luis. However, being a stupid construction worker can be very dangerous."

-- I wanted to add to that: Being a stupid/ignorant/know-it-all type of person is very dangerous in many situations, not just construction. :)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[daddyOwe]

My son doing tree trimming work was puttin a log into chipper. He slipped on wet grass and his leg went into the chipper. He sustained a serious leg injury. He had the wherewithal to reach over and put the machine in reverse. The shutoff was located on the opposite end. He received injuries on the way in and way out. That was 2yrs ago. He is no longer the same kid. He became addicted to pain killers which he is battling with and seeking help. He also has PTSD and has nightmares. I have spent many days worrying about him. He is not stupid. Perhaps careless.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope he'll get past this.

My dad was an engineer at a paper mill and I heard of several industrial accidents. These were trained workers but no one is infallible.

Some jobs are just plain dangerous.

[gridlock]

When a guy with a handle like 1FASTGLOCK45 makes a cryptic statement like that, it gives one pause...

[BookaT]

We need some new legislation dealing with this! /sarcasm

[Cincinatus' Wife]

[daddyOwe]

Thank You. He is really having a hard time, but I think once he is able to return to work, probably in some other field. He will start feeling better.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

As long as he has his brain and a supportive family, he can get through this.

He may find a path that he never would have considered but where he can make a great contribution.

[poobear]

"..Turn off woodchipper before trying to unclog it."

HELLO! What a horrible but completely avoidable tragedy.