The deadly Tech Terrace fire that killed two people started at the rear of the structure under the carport in Lubbock, Texas. The heat from the fire "impinged on several cylinders of compressed gas," causing them to explode.

Tech Terrace explosions caused by fire heating cylinders of compressed gas 

Thursday, March 29th 2018, 10:56 pm EDT
By KCBD Digital







Source: Caleb Holder, KCBD

Back yard of house next door to explosion site (Source: Caleb Holder, KCBD)

Back yard of house next door to explosion site (Source: Caleb Holder, KCBD)

Back yard of house next door to explosion site (Source: Caleb Holder, KCBD)

Source: Caleb Holder, KCBD
LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) -

Lubbock fire investigators released their initial report on Thursday night, as they work to determine the cause of a deadly fire and house explosion in Tech Terrace.

The report says a fire started at the rear of the structure under the carport. The heat from the fire "impinged on several cylinders of compressed gas," causing them to explode. The first cylinders exploded just before Lubbock firefighters arrived on scene. Explosions continued as other cylinders reached an overpressure point.

Our crew grabbed a photo of an exploded metal tank in the driveway of the home next door.

Here's the full statement from Lubbock Fire Rescue:


Late this afternoon, the group of fire investigators completed their initial examination of the fire scene. They report that a fire of unknown origin started at the rear of the structure, under the carport area. The heat from the initial fire then impinged on several cylinders of compressed gas. The cylinders reached an overpressure point and exploded just prior to the arrival of Lubbock Fire Rescue. Several other explosions occurred as other cylinders reached the point of overpressure over the next several minutes as firefighters fought to bring it under control.

Determination of the initial cause of the fire was severely hampered by damage caused by the exploding cylinders. Today’s scene examination is part of an overall investigation into this incident that will be ongoing. Information will be forthcoming as it becomes available.

Lubbock Fire Rescue wishes to express our sympathy to the families of the deceased and those injured in this incident. We also want to express our gratitude to the agencies previously mentioned as well as the Lubbock Police Department and others that provided assistance.

LFR Hazmat was call back to the scene for about two hours on Thursday and left at 5:30 p.m.

We will continue to update this story as more details are released.

The explosion happened just before 10 p.m. Tuesday night at a home in the 2900 block of 21st Street.

Witnesses said the explosion was felt several blocks away. Windows in the house across the street were shattered by the blast. A house on the corner of 21st & Canton actually had a piece of debris from the explosion land on their roof.

According to the Lubbock Police Department, multiple victims were found at the scene when they arrived.

One of the victims, 72-year-old John Fleming, was pronounced deceased at the scene, while three additional victims were taken to University Medical Center by ambulance with serious injuries. Officials say 45-year-old Rodica Gelca, one of the three taken to the hospital, was later pronounced deceased at UMC. Officials say Gelca was trying to help put out the fire.

The additional two people who were transported are expected to recover, according to officials. Three Lubbock firefighters were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries and have since been released from the hospital.

According to our research, John Flemming owned the home and ran the business E2Amm LLC out of the home. The company manufactures hydrogen and ammonia modules. At this time, authorities have not said if the chemicals in the home caused the explosion.

Although there were some concerns about possible hazardous materials at the scene, Lubbock Fire Rescue issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon to try and "dispel any rumors of chemicals in the air in this area."

Fire investigators have not identified a cause of the fire at this time, but they say it "is not believed to be criminal in nature."

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LUBBOCK, TX (NEWS RELEASE) - The following is a news release from Lubbock Fire Rescue:

On Tuesday, March 27th, 2018 Lubbock Fire Rescue responded to 2910 21st street at approximately 9:54 PM for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, units found heavy fire issuing from the residence. During firefighting operations, multiple explosions occurred on scene.

As reported on Wednesday, Investigators from the Lubbock Fire Marshal’s Office, State Fire Marshal’s Office and Federal Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began an intensive examination of the scene to attempt to determine what caused this unfortunate incident.

Late this afternoon, the group of fire investigators completed their initial examination of the fire scene. They report that a fire of unknown origin started at the rear of the structure, under the carport area. The heat from the initial fire then impinged on several cylinders of compressed gas. The cylinders reached an overpressure point and exploded just prior to the arrival of Lubbock Fire Rescue. Several other explosions occurred as other cylinders reached the point of overpressure over the next several minutes as firefighters fought to bring it under control.



Determination of the initial cause of the fire was severely hampered by damage caused by the exploding cylinders. Today’s scene examination is part of an overall investigation into this incident that will be ongoing. Information will be forthcoming as it becomes available.

Lubbock Fire Rescue wishes to express our sympathy to the families of the deceased and those injured in this incident. We also want to express our gratitude to the agencies previously mentioned as well as the Lubbock Police Department and others that provided assistance.

(News release from Lubbock Fire Rescue)

Jan Barbara Karner, 76, died in her recliner from fire caused by smoking material in Littleton, Mass.

LITTLETON, Mass. (CBS) — A fire in Littleton that killed a 76-year-old woman on New Year’s Day was sparked by smoking materials, the State Fire Marshal said Wednesday.

“The fire began in the first floor living room and the victim was found in her recliner. She was known to be a heavy smoker,” said a statement released by the Fire Mashal, District Attorney and Littleton Fire/Police Departments.

The woman was identified as Jan Karner. Her husband escaped the fire and was treated for smoke inhalation.


The home on King Street after the fire Monday morning. (WBZ-TV)

Fire crews who responded to the King Street home in January said hoarding made it difficult to fight the blaze.


The smoke alarms on the first and second floor were destroyed in the fire, according to the Fire Marshal, so it is unknown whether or not they were working. A smoke alarm in the basement was expired but potentially went off, although expired alarms should not be relied upon.

This was the first of five deaths in 2018 caused the improper use or disposal of smoking materials, according to the Fire Marshal. In 2017, there were 14.



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Elderly Woman Killed In House Fire Linked To Hoarding
January 1, 2018 at 12:32 pm

 
LITTLETON (CBS) – The New Year began on a tragic note in Littleton Monday morning as an elderly woman died in a house fire.

Firefighters were called to a home on King Street around 5:15 a.m. where they found heavy flames on the first floor.

A person came out and told them that a woman was still inside.

But years of hoarding by the residents caused a problem for firefighters.


The home on King Street after the fire Monday morning. (WBZ-TV)

“There was an overabundance of accumulated materials throughout the home. So it was definitely a bit of a challenge to get in there,” Littleton Fire Chief Scott Wodzinski told WBZ-TV.

The woman inside died. Her name has not been made public.

The other person was taken to the hospital.

There is no word yet on how the fire started.

“Everything here today was a challenge. It was about six below zero when I arrived here,” Wodzinksi said.


================






Jan Barbara Karner (Age 77) departed this world on January 1, 2018.

Born September 18, 1941 in Montague, MA. to parents Herman Glabach and Gwendolyn Fischer, Jan leaves; sisters Diane Baronas, So. Deerfield, MA., and Gwen Richardson, Long Beach, CA., Husband James Karner, Daughter Allison Gallant, Berlin, NH., Son Todd Karner, Tulalip, WA., and Grandson Kurt Yazici, Seattle, WA..

Jan grew up in Greenfield, MA., where she participated in the Mariners Sailing Club with the Girl Scouts and the YMCA Swim Team. She loved to be outdoors: growing flowers and vegetables, skating, skiing, and walking. She enjoyed being out in any sort of weather. Before health issues impaired Jan's movement, she taught ballet and performed with a local dance school. Jan was an ardent writer and spent many hours of her day in correspondence with relatives and friends. She published poems and briefs in local newspapers. Jan's love of life and compassion for understanding will continue to inspire persons she touched.

Steep water, cascading falls.
Low pools stagnant and silted.
Brimmed hat, I sit in between.

A memorial service where friends and family can come together to remember and celebrate Jan's life will be held at the Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made in Jan's memory to:

Littleton Council on Aging
33 Shattuck Street
Littleton, Massachusetts 01460

65-year-old Rae-Ellen Mahnke and her three dogs died in fire that was caused by careless use of smoking materials

Mahnke’s death was caused by smoke/soot inhalation and carbon dioxide poisoning.
 
RACINE — Fire officials have released the cause of Sunday’s fatal fire that left a Racine woman and her three dogs dead.


The fire was determined to be caused by careless use of smoking materials, according to the Racine Fire Department.


At 6:22 a.m. Sunday, Racine Fire Department firefighters responded to a call of smoke in the area of the 2500 Block of Taylor Avenue, according to the Fire Department.


Upon arrival, fire crews identified the location at 2901 Gilson St. and quickly attacked the fire, which was venting through an open bedroom window.


Fire crews were required to force open both locked doors to gain entry. After making entry, the crew from Quint 4 radioed that there was “a lot of debris inside the house” and began searching for and locating a female patient, later identified as 65-year-old Rae-Ellen Mahnke.


Mahnke was immediately taken from the home to a waiting ambulance, where she was pronounced dead at the scene. Mahnke’s three dogs also died in the fire, fire officials reported.


An autopsy confirmed Mahnke’s death was caused by smoke/soot inhalation and carbon dioxide poisoning.


In the home, remnants of a smoke alarm were present, but investigators were unable to locate the complete mechanism after the fire.


The Fire Department reminds the public to take a few minutes to verify that home smoke alarms are in working order and advises that people should never smoke where they sleep.



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RACINE — The identity of the woman killed in Sunday’s fatal morning fire at a south side residence has been released.


Rae Ellen Mahnke, 65, has been identified as the victim killed in the blaze, according to the Racine Fire Department.


At 6:22 a.m. Sunday, firefighters were dispatched to 2901 Gilson St., just east of Taylor Avenue, for a report of a structure fire, according to the Fire Department.


Upon arrival, fire crews initiated a search of the residence and located Mahnke, who subsequently was declared to be deceased. Fire crews also found three deceased pets inside the home, the Fire Department reported.


Fire officials reported that damage was primarily contained to a bedroom, where the fire originated, with smoke and heat damage extending through the rest of the home. Damage is estimated at $70,000. Fire crews secured the property while family contacted their insurance carrier.


Racine police and the county Medical Examiner’s Office assisted at the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, the Fire Department reported Wednesday.

A female employee working at a construction site fell from a second story scaffolding in Salt Lake City in Utah

Woman taken to hospital after fall at construction site in SLC
Mark Green, Updated at 05:26PM, March 28, 2018




SALT LAKE CITY — A construction worker was hospitalized after she fell from scaffolding at a Salt Lake City construction site Wednesday.

The woman fell from the building at roughly 150 North and 400 West, said Salt Lake City fire spokeswoman Audra Sorensen.

Crews took her to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray in an ambulance about 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sorensen said. She fell from the building's west side.

"She fell several feet," Sorensen said. "Whether that was 50 or 100, I don't know." The fire department responds to falls often, she said, but generally not to ones of such magnitude.

The worker's name, the extent of her injuries and the company she works for were not immediately released.

Sorensen urged caution for anyone scaling heights and said it's a good idea to have someone else nearby who can help or call 911 in the event of a fall.

"I think that whether you're cleaning out your rain gutters or painting or working, you have to be very, very mindful that anything can happen," she said.

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Firefighters confirm one person was injured in an industrial accident at a construction site in downtown Salt Lake City Wednesday.

Audra Sorensen, a spokesperson for Salt Lake City Fire Department, said there was an industrial accident in the area of 150 North and 400 West shortly after 4 p.m.

Sorensen said a female employee working at a construction site fell from a second story. The woman was taken to a local hospital. No specific information about her condition was immediately available.

A worker was injured after the construction truck he was in fell into a massive sinkhole at Top of the Rock Golf Course in southwestern Missouri

A worker was hospitalized after the construction truck he was in fell into a massive sinkhole at Top of the Rock Golf Course in southwestern Missouri, according to reports.


The Western Taney County Fire Protection District posted on Facebook that the truck went off a ridge Wednesday morning and plunged about 100-150 feet into the sinkhole that opened in 2015. Rescue workers were able to reach the driver on a construction road.


A statement from Bass Pro Shops, whose owner also owns the property on which the golf course sits, said the worker was backing a truck when it slid into hole, the Springfield News-Leader reported. The worker has non-life-threatening injuries, according to the statement.

At approximately 11:09 a.m. Western Taney County Fire Protection District was dispatched to a report of a motor vehicle accident at Top of the Rock golf course in Ridgedale. Initial reports stated a truck went off the ridge of the sinkhole that is currently being excavated on the property. The truck traveled over the edge of the sinkhole and fell approximately 100-150 feet to the bottom. Taney County Ambulance (TCA) was first to arrive and were able to access the patient via a road into the sinkhole. TCA units reported the lone occupant of the vehicle was not trapped but was injured and stable. WTCFPD units arrived and utilized the Kubota UTV to assisted TCA units in packaging and removing the patient from the sinkhole via the construction road. The patient was transported by TCA to a local hospital.
No other injuries were reported. The incident is under investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. WTCFPD does not release the names of victims or patients. For further information please contact the MOSHP or Big Cedar public relations.






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Top of the Rock: In 2014, Morris opened Top of the Rock, which is like a mini theme park for grownups. Probably best known for its golf course, which hosts the Senior PGA Legends of Golf tournament every year, it's also known for the giant sink hole that occurred there. Morris has chosen to keep digging the sinkhole in the hopes of finding a secret passageway and uncovering a massive cave system. Top of the Rock also features the elegant Osage restaurant and a more casual Mexican restaurant fitted into Arnold Palmer’s old barn (moved to the location), a practice golf course, pro shop and the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum.


The museum features much of Morris’ own collection of Native American artifacts as well as skeletons of a woolly mammoth, a saber tooth cat, a giant ground sloth and prehistoric cave bears. Throughout, extinct animals like the bear dog and terror bird come to life in dioramas created by the same folks who did the exhibits at Chicago’s Field Museum. Recent additions to the museum include a Civil War room with not only uniforms and weapons, but also a locket with a piece of Abraham Lincoln's hair as well as a flag used in his funeral. It's hard to believe 75,000 treasures sit below the shops and restaurants, stone fireplaces and sculptures that make up Top of the Rock. "It's like the Smithsonian Institution right here in the Ozarks," Jeff Wilhoit said.


If you really want to experience the beauty of the Ozarks, don't miss Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail. You rent a golf cart ($25 per adult; $12.50 child) and head off for a one-hour-ish adventure on nature trails where you cross bridges and catch gorgeous vistas. The highlight is when you drive into a cave with a four-story waterfall and a bar with lively bat-named drinks for kids and adults.

Michael Tolman, 56, an ironworker with Shelby Erectors, a project subcontractor, crushed to death after being struck by a rebar cage at the $2.3 billion Interstate 4 Ultimate highway expansion project in Orlando, Florida

A third worker died while on the job at the sprawling, 21-mile-long I-4 Ultimate in Orlando. Michael Tolman, 56, an ironworker with Shelby Erectors, a project subcontractor, died March 8 after being struck.

According to the Orlando Police Dept.’s report, the accident occurred while Tolman was working near the on ramp to Interstate 4 at South Street. The 911 dispatcher noted reports that “someone has been crushed” by a piece of equipment. The report further stated that a “cage fell on [the] employee” and that Tolman was not awake but still breathing.

In response, SGL Constructors temporarily shut down work along the entirety of the 21-mile-long reconstruction project. SGL is the joint venture of Skanska, Granite Construction and Lane Construction rebuilding Orlando’s stretch of I-4.

Brook Brookshire, SGL’s project director, issued a statement on March 9, saying, “We will be reviewing the safety protocols that are in place, and we will take all appropriate action following the investigation to ensure the utmost safety.”

On March 16, SGL stated that work had resumed on the sprawling project, which is being delivered via a design-build-finance-operate-maintain contract.

The previous two fatalities, which occurred in 2016, also involved workers being struck. The first occurred in early 2016, when 34-year-old Marvin Franklin, wearing earbuds, exited a portable restroom and walked in front of a subcontractor truck that was backing up.

In December 2016, 59-year-old Curtis Popkey was killed when he ventured too close to a load being offloaded and a piece of steel fell and struck him.

Noting that its investigation was ongoing, on March 16, SGL added that “After a comprehensive review of our safety management … we have upgraded our protocols and confirmed that we have a safe work plan in place.”

SGL would not provide further details to ENR about changes to the project’s safety plan.

===========================


Another worker killed in struck-by incident on Florida's $2.3B I-4 project



An ironworker on the $2.3 billion Interstate 4 Ultimate highway expansion project in Orlando, Florida, died earlier this month after a rebar cage fell and struck him, according to WKMG News 6.

Michael Tolman, age 56, an employee of subcontractor Shelby Erectors, was working near one of the freeway ramps when the cage fell on him, according to Engineering News-Record. Construction stopped along the entire 21-mile length of the project while law enforcement investigated the incident and while SGL Constructors – the private-public joint venture between Skanska USA, Granite Construction and Lane Construction – reviewed its safety procedures. Work resumed four days later, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

This is the third struck-by fatality on the I-4 project. In 2016, one worker was hit by a truck and another died after being struck by a piece of falling steel.

According to OSHA records, the agency cited SGL with a serious violation in relation to the first fatal incident with the truck and fined the joint venture $12,471 for exposing employees to struck-by hazards. An investigation by WESH found that SGL, as part of its notice of a corrective action plan to OSHA, said it had created a new internal traffic control plan, revised its heavy-equipment backup plan and put a renewed emphasis on the use of spotters.

OSHA has prioritized the reduction of struck-by injuries and deaths by making this type of accident part of its Focus Four initiative. OSHA categorizes struck-by hazards as falling, flying, swinging and rolling, and offers common-sense advice as to how to avoid being injured, such as never positioning oneself between moving and stationary objects, staying alert to vehicles on the project site and wearing high-visibility clothing.

According to an August report from the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), struck-by incidents are on the rise. In fact, the center found that more than 800 U.S. construction workers died in struck-by incidents from 2011 to 2015, which is a rate higher than any other industry.

The CPWR said that 52% of deaths involved flying or falling objects and equipment. Nearly 60% of vehicle-related accidents happened in work zones, so highway maintenance workers had the highest rate of deadly struck-by incidents. Also, workers 65 years and older had an increased risk of being killed in a struck-by event.

As for nonfatal struck-by injuries, the construction industry had almost twice the number as all other industries combined.

Even the best of general contractor-instituted safety programs won't be as effective as they could be if subcontractors don't buy into it. To that end, many general contractors typically require subcontractors, particularly on large projects, to submit site-specific safety plans. These plans, according to Grading and Excavation Contractor Magazine, include how a subcontractor will carry out its scope of work, how it will manage its sub-subcontractors, emergency and disciplinary action plans and a thorough job hazard analysis.



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I-4 Ultimate worker struck by rebar, killed in Orlando
Victim identified as 56-year-old Michael Tolman
By Daniel Dahm - Digital Manager 

 March 08, 2018


 
ORLANDO, Fla. - An I-4 Ultimate construction worker has died after a cap cage, a structure made of rebar, fell and struck him in Orlando, officials said.

SGL, the company operating the project on Interstate 4, said Michael Tolman, 56, died after being struck around 9:45 a.m. Thursday at an I-4 west on-ramp at South Street near the Amway Center.

Tolman was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition and later died, officials said.

A cap cage is essentially the skeleton of whatever is being built. A steel cage is constructed, wood is placed around it to make a mold and concrete is poured into it.

SGL released a statement about the incident.

"We are deeply saddened to report that Michael Tolman, 56, of the Orlando area, died this morning as a result of an incident that occurred at approximately 10 a.m. (Thursday) on the I-4 Ultimate construction site in Central Florida. Mr. Tolman, who was an ironworker for Shelby Erectors, suffered critical injuries when he was struck by reinforcing steel.

"Our focus right now is on the family and friends of Mr. Tolman, as well as on the investigation of the accident.

"The cause of the accident is not known at this time. We will conduct an investigation in partnership with local authorities.

"We are supporting individuals and families as they deal with this tragic event. We want to thank the police, fire and local EMS for their rapid response.

"The incident occurred in the downtown Orlando area. Work across the entire 21-mile jobsite has been temporarily suspended."

The rebar was seen left dangling by a crane at an angle.

Orlando police taped off the construction site and interviewed witnesses. Some construction crew members were visibly upset after the accident.

A witness said it was windy when crews were trying to move the rebar, but it is unknown whether that played a factor in the incident.

News 6 attempted to contact Tolman’s employer, but has not heard back.

OSHA is investigating. Officials said they are in the preliminary stages of their investigation.

I-4 Ultimate is a $2 billion, at least six-year project that will transform a 21-mile stretch of the highway from Kirkman Road to State Road 434. The project began in 2015.

No other details have been released.

45-year-old Bojan Sprah from Slovenia killed at the BMW manufacturing plant in Spartanburg County, SC after he was hit by a piece of machinery at the paint shop

Blunt force trauma

• Električar at MZK Elektro
• Electrician at MZK Elektro
• Lives in Kungota Pri Ptuju, Brezovica, Slovenia
• From Ptuj

BMW contract worker died from open head trauma, coroner says

Haley Walters, The Greenville News 
March 29, 2018


South Carolina labor officials are investigating the death of a BMW contract worker at the company's manufacturing facility in Greer.

The South Carolina OSHA investigation is expected to last at least eight weeks.

OSHA investigators were at BMW on Wednesday to search for any safety violations that could have contributed to the death of 45-year-old Bojan Sprah, state OSHA spokesperson Lesia Kudelka said.

Sprah, from Slovenia, was employed by German equipment supplier Loedige and was contracted to work at BMW, Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said.

Sprah's death was caused by open head trauma, secondary to blunt force trauma and entrapment in moving machinery, Clevenger said. Toxicology reports are pending.

"I do not have info that he was impaired in any way at this time," Clevenger said in an email.

Sprah was working in BMW's paint shop, which was shut down Wednesday.

In the coming weeks, OSHA investigators will examine the equipment, conduct interviews, speak to BMW management and review safety training logs. Kudelka said the findings of the investigation will be made public once it's closed.

The last reported workplace fatality at BMW in Greer was in February 2016 when Ronnie Lee Hall Jr., a 55-year-old contract worker, fell to his death during a construction job at the plant.

Since 2008, two safety complaints against BMW in Greer were filed with OSHA, one of which resulted in the discovery of a noise violation, according to OSHA records.

An OSHA inspection in 2012 revealed 32 initial safety violations, later reduced to 18, including citations for unsafe wiring, flammable liquids and general safety rules. BMW was fined $20,900 as a result.

Last year, South Carolina had a total of 15 workplace deaths investigated by OSHA.

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Coroner identifies man killed in paint shop at BMW 

 March 28, 2018
By Amanda Shaw
 

 GREER, SC (FOX Carolina) -

First responders were called to the scene of an accidental death at the BMW manufacturing plant in Spartanburg County on Wednesday.

The call came in around 10:27 a.m. regarding an injury at the plant on Highway 101, dispatch said. The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, the Spartanburg County Coroner's Office, Pelham-Batesville Fire Department and EMS were on scene.

A BMW spokesperson issued a statement saying there was an accidental death in one of the facility's paint shops and it is under investigation by deputies.

The assistant fire chief for Pelham-Batesville said the male worker was injured by a piece of machinery in the paint shop. The shop has stopped operations during the investigation.

The worker was a private contractor who was working on BMW equipment, the Spartanburg County coroner said.

The coroner identified the worker as 45-year-old Bojan Sprah of Boiling Springs.

Read the full statement from BMW below:


The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accidental death at BMW Manufacturing. The death occurred in one of our paint shops. The paint shop has stopped operation as the investigation continues. When the accident occurred, BMW first responders were immediately called to provide aid. Pelham-Batesville EMS also responded. Since this is an active investigation, BMW is not able to comment further at this time.

South Carolina OSHA said an investigator is on site to determine if any violations may have contributed to the incident.

Worker died after being struck by an unmanned rail car at the Big Soo Terminal in Sioux City, Iowa

SIOUX CITY, IA -- A worker died as a result of an accident shortly before noon Wednesday at the Big Soo Terminal, 4101 Harbor Drive, Sioux City, Iowa.


Sioux City Police Lieutenant Mark Kirkpatrick said that police were still investigating the incident as of Wednesday afternoon.


"We're still working on it, still have officers on the scene," he said.

According to a press release from the Sioux City Police Department, the worker was engaged in a switching operation with train cars, when he was struck and killed by an unmanned rail car.

"It was a workplace accident, on the side of the Big Soo Terminal," Kirkpatrick said.

The name of the individual is not being released at this time.

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SIOUX CITY, IA (KTIV) -

Sioux City Police Captain Mark Kirkpatrick said officers were dispatched to the Big Soo Terminal at 4101 Harbor Drive for what appears to have been an industrial accident Wednesday.

Captain Kirkpatrick said there was a worker at the Big Soo Terminal who was engaged in a switching operation with some train cars.

He said it appears a tragic accident happened and that individual lost his life.

Police are still working on their investigation and he said the accident occurred on Big Soo property. 

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Police say a man died after being struck by an unmanned rail car in Sioux City Wednesday Morning. Police and EMS were called to Big Soo Terminal at 4101 Harbor Drive for an industrial accident.

A release from Sioux City Police say a man was engaged in a switching operation with rail cars when the man was struck by an unmanned car and died.