MINNEAPOLIS, MN (WCCO) — A 27-year-old man is dead after a forklift mishap at a Menards in Burnsville last week.
According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, Alec Michael Saunders of Burnsville suffered blunt force chest injuries in the accident Friday morning. He died at the Hennepin County Medical Center.
Details are limited, but authorities — including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration — are investigating the incident.
The Menard’s is located at 2700 E Highway 13.
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Forklift tips over, kills Menards employee in Burnsville, MN
The incident occurred Friday, and the victim died the same day from injuries to his chest.
By Paul Walsh Star Tribune
May 9, 2017 — 3:40pm
An employee suffered fatal injuries when the forklift he was operating at a Menards store tipped over, authorities said Tuesday.
Alec M. Saunders, 27, of Burnsville, was injured Friday morning and died later that day at Hennepin County Medical Center, the medical examiner’s office said.
James Honerman, a spokesman for the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA), said the forklift rolled over in the yard area of the big box home-improvement store.
Joining the examiner’s office in the investigation of Saunders’ death are Burnsville police and local OSHA officials.
On average the past five years, OSHA has investigated eight workplace fatalities annually in Minnesota involving contact with equipment or other objects, according to agency records.
A statement issued by the Menards headquarters in Eau Claire, Wis., said, “We’re experiencing a great sense of loss due to the unfortunate passing of our fellow teammate, Alec Saunders. We’re devastated and trying to deal with this situation the best we can because Alec was a well-respected member of our family.” The store is located on Hwy. 13 about 1¼ miles west of Interstate 35W.
The company declined to address the circumstances surrounding Saunders’ death, citing OSHA’s investigation.
Saunders’ online obituary, which listed parents and two brothers among his survivors, read that “his smile and big heart will be greatly missed.”
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Man Killed in Burnsville Menards Forklift Incident Identified
May 09, 2017 07:28 PM
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has officially identified the name of the employee killed in a forklift incident at the Menards in Burnsville last Friday.
Alec Michael Saunders, 27 of Burnsville, died due to blunt force chest injuries.
The release states the medical examiner, the Burnsville Police Department and OSHA are all investigating.
Saunders' parents told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that they rushed to the hospital to see their son afterward, but it was too late.
Alec Michael Saunders
Courtesy Saunders Family
"They bring us into a room with a bunch of the doctors and then tell us that his heart (stopped) beating on the way to the hospital and they were never able to resuscitate him," Curt Saunders said. "They allowed us to see his body. We sat with him for a couple of hours saying goodbye to him.
"It was a pretty sad day."
"You never expect to bury your child before you," Alec's mother Chris Saunders said.
Menards Inc. issued a statement on the incident:
"We're experiencing a great sense of loss due to the unfortunate passing of our fellow teammate, Alec Saunders," the statement read. "We're devastated and trying to deal with this situation the best we can because Alec was a well-respected member of our family.
"Due to an ongoing investigation by OSHA, we're unable to comment further about this unfortunate accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with Alec and his family at this time."
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Alec Michael Saunders Dead at 27
Saunders, Alec Michael Our beloved son Alec age 27, passed away from a work related accident on May 5, 2017. He left us way too soon. He is survived by father, Curt, mother Chris, brothers Brian and Daniel, grandparents, Paul and Gloria Born, many aunts and uncles, cousins and lots of friends. His smile and big heart will be greatly missed. Funeral service on Saturday, May 13, 2017. St. John the Baptist Church, 46 W. 125th St, Savage, MN 55378. Visitation at 9am, Service at 10am.
- Welder at Milhoff Machine & Welding
- Former Welder at Bergari Solutions
- Worked at Captains Bay Marina
- Worked at Hamilton Apartment Building
- Worked at Skyhawk
Published on May 9, 2017