Construction Worker Crushed, Killed by Equipment

SOUTHAVEN, MS (WMC) – A construction worker died in Southaven when a piece of equipment he was using toppled over and crushed him.

Fellow construction workers said they were in shock.

“I came over and saw what happened,” said one worker, who did not want to be identified. “I saw him underneath the machine.”

Coworkers said a 35-year-old man was riding a packer close to the edge of a hill when it tipped over. It crushed the worker’s head, killing him instantly.

“It’s a possibility that it can turn over and hurt you because it’s so heavy,” the witness said. “They always tell you ‘don’t jump off of them’ and everything like that, but he didn’t jump off. It threw him off.”

The witness added that after 30 years in the construction industry, nothing will ever be the same for him.

“To see someone get killed that you knew personally…” the witness said. “You see him walking and next thing, he’s dead. Right here, at the same place you are at. It’s horrible.”

Workers said the man only worked with them for five days, but he always took safety precautions while working. They described the situation as “a terrifying accident.”

Some even said they’re now afraid to use the machine that killed him.