Wednesday, June 29, 2016

18-year-old worker was critically injured after he became trapped in a press brake used for stamping at G.D. Roberts in Columbus









Posted: Jun 28, 2016 11:40 AM EST Updated: Jun 29, 2016 6:56 AM EST



Courtesy: Alicia Vele

Courtesy: Alicia Vela


UPDATE (WKOW) -- A Reeseville teen is in critical condition after being crushed in a machinery accident at a Columbus plant. Columbus Police now say it was a 17-year old victim who was crushed in a laser-cutting machine late Monday night at G.D. Roberts.

"His family is at his bedside," Columbus Police Lieutenant Dennis Weiner said. Investigators say the Jaws of Life were used to extricate the victim from the machine.

"He didn't have a pulse and the paramedics were able to bring back a pulse," Lt. Weiner said. Medflight then transported the teen to UW Health.

It's unknown if the victim worked at the plant full-time or part-time, but he had only been working a month when the industrial accident occurred.

"He was possibly retrieving some scraps from the machine when the machine engaged," Lt.Weiner said.

G.D. Roberts had no comment on the case while federal workplace safety officials investigate.

"They want another run through of what happened, why it happened and what could have been done, but at this point, there is nothing to indicate it is criminal," Lt. Weiner said.

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COLUMBUS, WI (WKOW) -- A Reeseville man has life threatening injuries after getting caught in a press brake.

The Columbus Police Department says the 18-year-old man became trapped in the machine at G.D. Roberts in Columbus just before 10:00 p.m. Monday. Lt. Dennis Weiner says a press brake is used for stamping. The young man was extricated from the machine, but he had life-threatening crushing injuries to his body. He was taken by helicopter to UW Hospital in Madison.

Lt. Weiner says he doesn't know how the man is doing Tuesday.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has been called and will be investigating the incident Tuesday. Lt. Weiner says at this point, police don't suspect anything criminal.