News

Sharon metal worker trapped in laser cutting machine has died

SHARON, Mass. — A metal worker in Sharon was trapped in a piece of equipment for more than hour Thursday morning died after being rushed to the hospital, according to the fire chief.

The man, who officials confirmed was 26 years old, was working at Industrial Metal Products in Sharon Thursday morning. Employees told Boston 25 News rescue crews were inflating airbags to get the injured worker out of the machine.

The person had apparently been crushed in the midsection, but was conscious as rescuers worked to free him from the machine.

"[The department manager] told me the operator of the machine was caught between the laser and the loader that feeds sheets of metal into the laser to be cut," an employee, Dave Scott, told Boston 25 News. "I've been with this company 26 years, I've never seen anything like this."

Officials said what caused the man to be trapped is still under investgiation.

"We couldn't get him out, he was trapped pretty good," Sharon Fire Chief Richard Murphy said.

The equipment the man was trapped in loads metal sheets and laser-cuts shapes.

Rescuers were performing manual chest compressions as they rushed the man to an ambulance. Though a medevac helicopter was brought to the scene, the man was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is investigating the incident.

The company, also known as InMetal, describes itself as "one of New England's leading providers of precision sheet metal fabrication and assembly." A representative for InMetal said the company has no comment and closed its operations for the day.

A Sharon police official said the department has not responded to an accident like this at this company during his tenure.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.