Posted on 07/07/2005 2:18:10 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
TAMPA - A pile of wood chips 6 feet high was soaked with blood Wednesday afternoon after a Tampa construction worker died while clearing a lot on 127th Avenue. A black high-top tennis shoe, barely recognizable, rested atop the pile next to the wood chipper.
``A piece of wood got stuck, and he tried to clear it out,'' said 12-year-old Luis Santiago, a witness. ``But he got pulled in. He yelled, `Help me! Help me!' But the other worker couldn't turn the machine off in time.''
The man worked for James Hardman Construction. He is the fourth person in the Tampa area to die in recent years after being pulled into a wood chipper. Authorities did not release the man's name, but they said he was in his mid-40s and had worked for the company about a year.
``These kind of accidents are few and far between,'' Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesman J.D. Callaway said. ``These are incredibly dangerous types of equipment. Usually what happens is something gets stuck, and the victim tries to clear it with his hand or foot, then they get pulled in.''
Such accidents create gruesome scenes that test the fortitude of seasoned deputies, Callaway said.
Several children witnessed the 3:15 p.m. accident. ``We thought it was red mulch at first,'' Stephanek Henry said. The 12-year-old girl ran into her grandmother's apartment screaming for help.
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.
Another group of neighbors looked on from the adjoining apartment complex. One man filmed the scene with his camcorder. People drove by with their car windows down and subwoofers pounding out rap music.
Children ate candy and watched as crime scene technicians tried to process the man's remains, still lodged in the mouth of the chipper.
``We'd like to think these kids are not totally desensitized to this,'' Callaway said. ``It's important for parents to talk to their kids after they've witnessed something like this.''
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.''
For 12-year-old Luis, the reality began to sink in about two hours after the accident as he sat on his bike and waited for his parents to come home. He said he planned to go to church Wednesday night.
``I don't ever want to be a construction worker,'' he said. ``It's too dangerous.''
Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 977-2854, Ext. 25.
What an awful way to go.
prisoner6
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.
Black humor aside, you're right, that's an awful way to go. My condolences to the family of this unfortunate construction worker.
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.
I think you're probably right, but I wouldn't want to verify that for myself.
Being a construction worker is not dangerous, Luis. However, being a stupid construction worker can be very dangerous.
My guess: this guy was an illegal and thus not literate enough in English to read the warnings on the equipment.
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. :)
Bump!
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.
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.
When a guy with a handle like 1FASTGLOCK45 makes a cryptic statement like that, it gives one pause...
We need some new legislation dealing with this! /sarcasm
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.
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.
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