Weekly TollRetired firefighter, 59, dies of 9/11-related cancer, 16 years after he spent weeks at Ground Zero

New York, NY — The 9/11 terror attacks have claimed the life of another firefighter who spent weeks at Ground Zero, according to the union that represents city firefighters. Retired FDNY Firefighter Michael O’Hanlon, a 30-year veteran of Engine Co. 68 in the Bronx, died last Monday after a battle with 9/11-related stomach and esophageal cancer, the Uniformed Firefighters Association said. O’Hanlon, 59, spent several weeks sifting through the mangled ruins of the twin towers after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He retired in 2013.

Worker killed in Georgetown construction accident identified

Georgetown, TX — A construction worker installing gas lines near Georgetown died early Saturday evening after another worker accidentally hit him while driving a grader, Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody said.  The construction worker has been identified by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office as Jose de Jesus Diaz-Venezuela, 38. The grader, a piece of heavy equipment used to flatten surfaces, struck the worker, causing bleeding around his head, but did not run over him, Chody said. The worker was likely crouching down when he was hit, Chody said. He was conscious immediately after the accident, and his co-workers called for an ambulance. He died at 5:19 p.m., likely from cardiac arrest, after an EMS crew arrived, Chody said.

Postal worker dies in single-vehicle crash in Athens County

ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio  — Troopers are investigating the death of person killed in an Athens County accident late Saturday morning. Fifty-eight-year-old William W. McManis from Millfield was traveling on eastbound in a US Postal Service on Angell Road when they failed to negotiate a curve and went off the road striking a ditch and utility pole, troopers said. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Athens County Coroner.

Houston police officer, part of Harvey response, confirmed dead

Houston, TX — A Houston police officer died after he drowned in floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey on Sunday, after his wife urged him to not go to work because the conditions were so bad, the police chief said on Tuesday.  Sgt. Steve Perez, 60, died Sunday morning after his patrol vehicle got caught in floodwaters and trapped him, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and police chief Art Acevedo confirmed during a news conference.  “His wife had told me she had asked him not to go in [to work]. She told him not to go because the conditions were so bad. His response was, ‘We got work to do,'” Acevedo said.

Victim identified in deadly industrial accident at Mohawk Carpet plant

The Murray County Coroner’s Office says the woman that passed away was 42-year-old Vickie Dyer of Chatsworth, GA.  EMS responded to a call of an industrial accident at the carpet plant. Chatsworth Police say the person was dead on arrival.

2 killed, 4 injured after Inhaling toxic fumes at Pennsylvania power plant

SHIPPINGPORT, Pa. Authorities say two workers were killed and four others were injured after inhaling toxic fumes at a Pennsylvania power plant.  Enerfab Corp. chief executive officer Scott Anderson says two employees were discharged from the hospital Friday. He says a 43-year-old worker still hospitalized “continues to show signs of improvement.” There was no word on the status of a fourth injured worker. Police said the contractors were in a “confined, well-type” area at the Bruce Mansfield Power Station in Beaver County when hydrogen sulfide gas was released early Wednesday. Police said 34-year-old Kevin Bachner and 42-year-old John Gorchock were unable to reach safety and were killed. Pennsylvania State Police said the workers removed an elbow joint from a pipe, releasing hydrogen sulfide gas, CBS Pittsburgh reports.”The line was not supposed to be charged, obviously. They got to the last bolt to crack it open and when they did so, this nauseous gas, hydrogen sulfide-type mixture immediately incapacitates you,” State Police Lt. Eric Hermick said.

GoFundMe page set up to help family of electrical worker killed in Ken-Ton accident

Kenmore, NY — A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family of a subcontractor who died in an accident while working at Kenmore West High School Wednesday. Charles E. Gause of Hamburg was working in an electrical closet as part of the district’s capital project when the accident occurred. The closet was off-limits to students and staff, and school was not in session that day. Power in the building was shut off for several hours, and restored later Wednesday, according to Patrick Fanelli, community relations coordinator for the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District. Gause, 48, was married and the father of three children.

Utility Truck Driver Killed In Traffic Accident Identified

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18)– A fatal accident closed the interstate for a couple hours Friday. It happened around 10:42 a.m. on southbound I-75 near the 38 mile marker. A Honda van that was traveling south, hydroplaned and hit a wall.  A tractor trailer slowed down and tried to avoid the van, then a utility truck slammed into the tractor trailer.  The driver of the utility truck died, he has been identified as 63-year-old Samuel Gregory, of Knox County. The truck is from Stanley Pipeline out of Winchester.

Calif. police officer killed in hotel shootout; 2 others wounded

Sacramento, CA — A California sheriff’s deputy was killed in a motel shootout with a suspect on Wednesday that also left two California Highway Patrol officers wounded, police said. Robert French, a 21-year veteran with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, and the two CHP officers were conducting an auto-theft investigation at the motel when a man, armed with a high-powered rifle, opened fire, police said. French, 52, was struck and died of his injuries en route to the hospital, according to police.

Truck driver killed in major crash on I-65 in Mobile

A driver lost control of his tractor trailer, rear-ended a semi-truck, overturned and caused a deadly crash on I-65 in Mobile, Alabama, police say. It happened around 12:48 p.m. at the Government Boulevard exit and, according to Local 15 reporter Andrea Ramey, the scene is a “traffic nightmare”. Mobile Police Department (MPD) spokesperson Donald Wallace said the man driving the truck has died. At this time, authorities have not released his identity or the company he was driving for.

Retaining wall collapse kills man in Peabody

PEABODY, MA — A Peabody man died early Monday night in what was first reported as an industrial accident. Police and fire radio reports began to come in at approximately 7 p.m., reporting emergency equipment and road closures in the vicinity of 317 Lowell St. At 7:24 p.m., however, a brief release from the Essex District Attorney’s Office said that a 76-year-old man had died as a result of an accident while he was doing yard work. The release said that a stone retaining wall apparently gave way, causing large rocks to fall upon the man. As of 7:30, first responders were using heavy equipment to remove the rocks in order to reach the victim’s body. Motorists were advised by Peabody police to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. The victim’s name has not yet been released and officials at the Essex District Attorney’s office said no further information would be available Monday night.

Construction worker dies when concrete wall falls

Hollywood, FL — A 49-year-old Hollywood construction worker was killed when a concrete wall fell on him at a residential construction project on Friday, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Terrence Backs was working on a remodeling project at a private canal-front home in the 2500 block of Southeast 14th Street, east of Federal Highway and north of McNab Road.

Truck driver killed in crash that closed northbound lanes of I-15 in Orem

Orem, UT — A Provo man was killed Monday when a tire blew on his dump truck on Interstate 15 and crashed into the median, the Utah Highway Patrol reported. The victim was identified as Allen C. Cox. At about 10:18 a.m., Cox was driving northbound in the far right-hand lane with a front tire failed and the truck crossed all northbound lanes and hit the median barrier, said UHP Sgt. Todd Royce.

Man, 24, electrocuted at church dies

Oceola, MI – A Holly man died Saturday after being electrocuted while working in the rafters of an Oceola Township church. Lt. James Lynch of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office said the 24-year-old man was completing electrical work at the Spirit Life Christian Church at 5202 E. Highland Road (M-59) between Hughes and Argentine roads when he lost contact for about 15 minutes with others working with him.

Drew County Deputy Killed in the Line of Duty Laid to Rest

STAR CITY, Ark.– Sunday afternoon hundreds of people including dozens of different law enforcement agencies honored Drew County Deputy Timothy Braden at his funeral service in Star City. Arkansas State Police said Deputy Braden died in a wreck after chasing a fleeing suspect.  Deputy Braden is the third Arkansas law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in less than 4 months.

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