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A tragic incident occurred at a warehouse in Carol Stream, Illinois, on Tuesday, resulting in the death of a worker after an aluminum spool fell from a crane.
Emergency services, including fire and police officials, swiftly responded to the scene at 457 Saint Paul Blvd. shortly after noon.
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The unfortunate event, deemed a workplace accident, took place inside the warehouse operated by S&S International, a small family-owned business specializing in stainless steel products.
The accident unfolded as a truck driver positioned his vehicle in one of the loading bays to receive spools of aluminum. A 55-year-old employee was assisting in loading a sizable metal spool onto the flatbed truck.
According to police reports, cranes permanently fixed to the building’s rafters are used to move the spools onto trucks. It appears that a part of the crane, possibly a strap, malfunctioned, leading to the spool falling and fatally injuring the worker.
Police say spools are possibly about 48,000 pounds. The man died immediately.
One truck driver waiting outside to load up his truck says he heard a loud pop when the accident occurred.
The employee’s identity was not immediately released.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials arrived on scene before 4 p.m. to investigate, and the fire department was there to help remove the body safely.
The Carol Stream Police Department is conducting its own non-criminal death investigation.
No one from the company was immediately available for comment on Tuesday.
Further information was not immediately available.
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