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A TEENAGER working at a burrito factory has been killed by a meat grinder after he fell inside it.
The 19-year-old screamed for help as he was sucked into the machine, but his co-workers sadly couldn’t save him in time.
The after-hours sanitation worker was cleaning the industrial food processor when it suddenly activated at around 9:30 pm on Sunday, police said.
His co-workers heard him screaming and raced to help.
They tried to turn off the machine but couldn’t stop it in time.
The man, who police haven’t identified, was dead inside the grinder by the time cops arrived at the factory.
The nightmare accident occurred in the kitchen of Tina’s Burritos factory in Vernon, California, about five miles south of downtown Los Angeles.
“He was cleaning an empty kettle that was being sanitized and prepped for the next day’s production run,” a Tina’s Burritos spokesperson said in a statement to The U.S. Sun.
‘INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT’
After the accident, people who appeared to be factory workers were seen looking distressed outside the building, according to footage obtained by NBC affiliate KTLA.
Some of the employees appeared to be crying, while others covered their faces with their hands or took phone calls.
Cops said the tragedy is believed to be an industrial accident.
No foul play is suspected.
It’s unclear what triggered the machine to start.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, our community, and everyone involved,” VPD said in a statement.
VPD didn’t immediately return The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner hasn’t returned The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
Tina’s Burritos’ full statement
Tina’s Burritos issued the following statement after a man was killed in a meat grinder at their facility in Vernon, California:
We are heartbroken to confirm that a Sanitation worker lost his life on
Sunday night, July 13, 2025, while performing sanitation duties at our Vernon facility.
He was cleaning an empty kettle that was being sanitized and prepped for the next day’s production run.
Despite the immediate response of coworkers and emergency personnel, he tragically passed away at the scene.
Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all who knew and worked alongside him. This is a devastating loss for everyone at Tina’s.
We are cooperating fully with local authorities and Cal/OSHA in the ongoing investigation, and our focus remains on honoring his life, supporting those who are grieving, and maintaining the highest safety standards in our facility.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is expected to investigate the horrific incident.
In 2019, Tina’s Burritos shared a video showing the inside of their facility in Vernon.
The video tours the factory and shows the process of making the frozen burritos.
The giant kettle is shown in the footage, shared on Facebook, as well as other heavy machinery like the mixer and assembly line.
The company makes popular frozen burritos, which are sold in major retailers like Walmart and Dollar Tree.
