FRANKLIN, Va. — An investigation is underway after a person was killed in an industrial accident in Isle of Wight County, the sheriff's office said.
According to Capt. Tommy Potter, the accident happened around 9 p.m. Wednesday at the International Paper mill in Franklin.
First responders that arrived at the paper mill learned an industrial accident happened involving a large crane. Teams at the scene were working to extricate a person from the crane wreckage, Potter said.
The crane operator died from his injuries at the scene. Virginia OSHA was notified along with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Norfolk.
A nearby neighbor, Samuel Darden, said he heard the emergency sirens go off in the middle of the night before learning about what happened at the mill.
“It’s a really, really tragic situation and tragic story that really should have never took place," said Darden.
Isle of Wight County Investigators performed a preliminary investigation and turned those results over to inspectors from Virginia OSHA, who will continue the investigation into the cause of this accident
The name of the person has not been released at this time,.
No other information was immediately available.
A spokesperson for the International Paper mill released a statement:
The Franklin Team is incredibly saddened by this news. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and loved ones of our co-worker during this difficult time.