UDOT contract worker dies in excavator accident near Alta Ski Resort. The UDOT contractor was killed while installing avalanche control equipment in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
by Sara Weber
Wednesday, October 12th 2016
(KUTV) A UDOT contract worker was killed Wednesday when the excavator he was driving rolled and ejected him, police say.
Unified Police are reporting the unnamed man, 41, died while working on a site up Little Cottonwood Canyon, near Alta Ski Resort
UPD is working with the Alta Marshal's Office to determine who has jurisdiction over the area where the man died.
The man's name has not been released, nor has the cause of the accident.
Authorities believe the man may have been working on avalanche control equipment when the excavating machine rolled over, crushing him the death.
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ALTA, Utah - An industrial accident has killed a 41-year-old construction worker near Alta.
Officials said the man was contracted to do work for the Utah Department of Transportation and was not a UDOT employee. The deceased has been identified as 41-year-old Kasey Christiansen of Price.
Unified Police said it is assisting the Alta Marshal's Office with the incident.
UDOT said the worker was installing avalanche control equipment in Little Cottonwood Canyon when an excavator rolled, ejecting and killing the man.
Authorities are investigating what caused the excavator to roll.
UDOT sent Fox 13 this statement:
This morning we were devastated by the news that a UDOT contractor was killed while installing avalanche control equipment in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Our contractors are part of the UDOT family and it’s heartbreaking any time something like this happens. Our thoughts and prayers go out to this worker’s family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
At UDOT, safety is our top priority. Work on the project is shut down pending an investigation.