How workers died last week: 16 killed in munitions plan explosion, four workers die from falls, forklift, tree care, oil well, construction incidents, helicopter crash, firefighting, vehicle incidents and shootings. On average, over 100 workers are killed every week in the United States due to traumatic injuries suffered at work. More than 20 times as many die from occupational diseases, many due to exposure to hazardous substances many years before they died. The few narratives below (gathered from almost 100 Google News searches) do not come close to capturing the full toll that work takes on the working people of this country. Nevertheless the accounts below gave you a taste of the preventable carnage occurring in workplaces across the country every day. Why We Write The Weekly Toll
16 people died in a blast at a Tennessee explosives factory
MCEWEN, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – Authorities say 16 people died in the blast at a Tennessee explosives factory. The tragic update comes a day and a half after a blast leveled Accurate Energetic Systems, an explosive processing plant in McEwen, Tennessee. “We have contacted all 16 families that we feel was a part of this tragedy,” Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said Saturday evening during a press conference. During the press conference, authorities said counseling will be available at local schools in the wake of the tragedy. On Friday, officials said 18 people were reported missing; however, two were found safe. Davis did not give a number on the people who have died, but he did say, “Anyone inside the building, we can assume they are deceased.” The following 16 people are presumed dead as a result of the explosion: Jason Adams, Billy Baker, Christopher Clark, James Cook, LaTeisha Mays, Melinda Rainey, Trenton Stewart, Steven Wright, Erick Anderson, Adam Boatman, Mindy Clifton, Reyna Gillahan, Jeremy Moore, Melissa Stafford, Rachel Woodall and Donald Yowell
Worker dies in fall from roof in Revere
Revere, MA — A worker died in a fall from the top of a three-story building in Revere, Massachusetts, in what’s suspected to be a workplace accident on Tuesday, officials said. The worker was pronounced dead after being rushed from the scene, on Payson Street, to Massachusetts General Hospital, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Colleagues said the man, who has not been publicly identified, was from El Salvador and moved here about a year ago. Tuesday was his first official day on the job, they said. A large number of first responders were spotted at the partially finished triple-decker building. Prosecutors said that federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration workers were at the scene as well.
Construction worker dies after fall at Van Meter school
VAN METER, Iowa — A construction worker died Tuesday after a 30-foot fall while working on the campus of the Van Meter school district. Van Meter Police Chief Michael Brown said the accident happened shortly before 1 p.m. when a 33-year-old man fell from the roof of the new building construction zone, an estimated height of 30 feet. Brown says a school resource officer provided CPR to the fall victim until medics arrived. A MercyOne helicopter arrived to assist, but the man died from his injuries at the scene. Brown said the incident remains under investigation and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be notified. Brandon McVay, 33, of Greenfield, died Tuesday. Investigators say he fell approximately 30 feet from a roof while working at a project on the campus of the Van Meter school district.
17-year-old riding go-kart at work crashes into forklift and dies, SC coroner says
Greenville, SC — A teen amusement park employee died in an accident involving a forklift and a go-kart at work. He’s been identified as 17-year-old Kamel Seveion Sewell of Simpsonville. The accident happened at Frankie’s Fun Park in Greenville shortly before the park opened at noon on Friday, Dec. 27, Greenville County Coroner Parks Evans said in a news release. Sewell was riding a go-kart when he ran into an “industrial size forklift” operated by another employee, the coroner said. He was pronounced dead about 20 minutes after the incident, but his cause of death is still pending. An autopsy will be performed Dec. 28, Evans said.
Person dies in Marion after falling from cell tower
MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – A person died after falling from a cell tower in Marion Friday afternoon. At approximately 12:30 p.m., the Marion Fire Department responded to a report of an individual who was unconscious and bleeding after falling from a cell tower. Crews were working on the tower at the time the person fell. Others in the area of North Tenth Street began performing CPR before the fire department and ambulance arrived. The person was not able to be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is under investigation by the Marion Police Department.
Construction worker dies after ten-foot fall on Burrillville job site
BURRILLVILLE, R.I. (WLNE) — A North Smithfield construction worker has died after falling through a stairway opening on a Burrillville job site, according to the Burrillville Police Department. Robert Leech, 64, was found unresponsive by responding police and fire personnel on the basement floor at 1249 Sherman Farm Road Thursday. Witnesses said that Leech fell through the stairway opening into the basement. He fell approximately 10 feet, striking his head on the concrete floor, according to Burrillville Police Department Chief Colonel Stephen Lynch. Leech was treated at the scene, stabilized and transported to Landmark Hospital in Woonsocket. He later succumbed to his injuries. OSHA was informed of the incident.
Michigan Worker Dies in Oil Well
Manistee, MI — A 32-year-old oil well casing crew operator was killed near Manistee on Oct. 4. The “casing crew operator was preparing to install the last section of casing at an oil well drilling site,” MIOSHA said. “The victim was struck on the head by a circulating swedge that had separated from the casing collar.” The deaths reported to MIOSHA matched the total for all of October 2024 when two people died on the job. So far in 2025, there have been 34 reported work-related deaths in Michigan. There were 36 MIOSHA-reported deaths for all of 2023 and 31 overall in 2024; 2009 saw the lowest number in recent years with 24.
26-year-old man dies after being caught under cement mixer
Tucson, AZ — A 26-year-old man died after being caught under a concrete mixer on Tucson’s south side Monday evening. According to a news release from Pima County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to a report of an industrial accident in the area of 9300 S. Swan Road at about 5:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they found Omar Quihui beneath a concrete mixer. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident appears to have occurred in a work-related setting, the news release said. More here.
Tow truck driver killed by hit-and-run driver while helping motorist on 110 Freeway
LOS ANGELES, CA – A tow truck driver was struck by a hit-and- run vehicle and killed Tuesday morning while assisting a motorist stopped on the Harbor (110) Freeway in South Los Angeles, causing lane closures that lasted nearly six hours. California Highway Patrol officers responded at approximately 1:35 a.m. Tuesday to the southbound freeway and the West Florence Avenue exit, according to CHP Officer Elizabeth Kravig. Carlos Trejo, Jr., 57, was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics. The driver of a southbound vehicle did not stop after striking the victim, who was working on a vehicle on the right shoulder, a CHP officer told KTLA5. The suspect’s vehicle was later found, but the driver remained at large, the station reported.
Worker killed at data center construction site in Medina County
MEDINA COUNTY, Texas – An employee for a construction company was killed on Monday at the site of a future data center in Medina County, according to a spokesperson for Rowan Digital Infrastructure. The employee, Maurice McGowan, was a subcontractor for Turner Construction, a North American-based and international construction services company. A statement from Turner Construction said the employee was struck by an articulating truck. Staff and onsite medics responded with emergency officials later taking over; however, the he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Construction worker struck, killed by school bus near Kokomo
KOKOMO, Ind. — A construction worker was killed and a school bus driver was injured during a crash in Howard County on Monday afternoon. According to Indiana State Police, troopers and Howard County Sheriff’s deputies began to receive reports about a crash involving a pedestrian and school bus around 3:30 p.m. After an investigation, police determined the school bus was moving northbound on County Road 400 East before the crash occurred. Conversely, the pickup truck was traveling eastbound on State Road 22 before the crash happened. ISP reported that the construction worker killed in the crash was directing traffic in the area prior to his death. The crash happened when the school bus was driven across State Road 22. As the bus driver was attempting to cross the road, the driver of the Ram truck struck the bus on its driver’s side. The impact caused the bus to move and hit the construction worker. State police confirmed that the construction worker was pronounced dead at the crash scene by the Howard County Coroner’s Office. ISP identified the construction worker as 31-year-old Aaron M. Esparza of Logansport.
Worker killed by street sweeper at Santa Fe Springs construction site
Santa Fe Springs, CA — A construction worker was killed on Monday after they were trapped underneath a street sweeper at a construction site in Santa Fe Springs. Authorities were called to the 10600 block of Carmenita Road at around 8:30 a.m. after learning of a person, Ramon Rivera, who was stuck underneath a vehicle, according to a release from a Santa Fe Springs city spokesperson. “Fire personnel arrived on scene and confirmed one individual was trapped; sadly, the person was later pronounced deceased at the scene,” the release said. They said that while the accident occurred within Santa Fe Springs city limits, the construction was not part of a city project. It’s unclear exactly what work was being done in the area, which appeared to be the parking lot of a shopping center in the area when SkyCal flew over the scene of the incident on Monday morning.
Firefighter killed by fallen tree during prescribed burn
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, Idaho – One knot at a time, firefighters in Minnesota secured an American flag to their engine’s ladder before hoisting it to the sky in honor of one of their own. The family, friends and fellow first responders of 26-year-old firefighter Isabella Oscarson gathered at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo in St. Anthony as she was laid to rest. William Glesener, with the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Operation, said Oscarson was a great person who will be sorely missed. He said she worked to protect the life, property and resources of the citizens of Minnesota, and across the country. “She was a bubbly personality, always willing to step up and do what was necessary, always had a smile on her face,” he said. According to the Idaho Department of Lands, Oscarson was killed in the line of duty last Friday after she was hit by a falling tree while helping the U.S. Forest Service on a prescribed burn in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in northern Idaho.
Tree removal worker killed when tree falls while he was at the top
Menahga, MN — A tree removal service worker was killed when the tree he was working on fell to the ground, landing on him in the process. The Wadena County Sheriff’s Office says the tragic incident happened around 2:45 p.m. Thursday at a home in rural Menahga. Authorities arrived and found CPR had already been started on the man, who worked for a private tree removal service, but he was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff’s office learned that the victim had climbed up the tree to saw off the top section of it. “While the individual was cutting the tree, the base of the tree broke causing the tree to tip over,” it continued. “The individual fell to the ground with the tree falling on top of him.” The victim’s identity has not been publicly released at this time.
Man dies in Monday Lowndes County workplace incident
LOWNDES COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) – A man lost his life Monday due to a workplace accident, according to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office says that Steven Kelley, 20, died of severe trauma when a steel pole from an 18-wheeler fell onto him. Authorities say that they don’t suspect foul play in the incident. WSFA 12 News reached out to OSHA. Due to the government shutdown, they didn’t have an answer. Kelley worked for Harper Electric Construction Company.
Deputy shot and killed, other injured at Iberville Parish Courthouse
Iberville Parrish, LA — An Iberville Parish deputy has died, after he was shot near the Iberville Parish Courthouse. According to the NBC affiliate in Baton Rouge, a second deputy was also shot and remains in critical condition. The deputy’s name was Charles Riley. The suspect in the shooting, who was being interviewed as part of a sexual assault investigation, managed to get a weapon and opened fire, authorities told WAFB’s Chris Nakamoto. The shooter, who was from White Castle, died from a gunshot wound to the head, authorities said. It was not said whether the man shot himself or was shot by someone else.
Construction Worker Killed In Camden County Truck Accident on AC Expressway
CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY (October 6, 2025) – A worker has tragically died in a Camden County construction accident on the Atlantic City Expressway. Camden County officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:30 AM on Friday. A subcontractor for the South Jersey Transportation Authority was run over by a truck as it was backing up to pick up cones. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. Sadly, he died due to the severity of his injuries. He was identified as a 31-year-old man from Egg Harbor Township. A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
Fla. deputy succumbs to injuries 15 years after being shot by suspect
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Escambia County Deputy Jeremy Cassady has died nearly 15 years after he was critically wounded in a 2010 domestic disturbance call that turned violent, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Cassady, who was shot on October 29, 2010, succumbed on July 15, 2025, to medical complications stemming from his injuries, according to the sheriff’s office. Cassady and fellow deputies responded to a domestic violence call at a home where a man was holding a woman hostage and using her as a human shield. The suspect opened fire, striking three deputies and the woman. Cassady was critically injured, spending 20 days in intensive care, and later required a kidney transplant after losing both kidneys. Despite surviving the initial shooting, Cassady faced long-term health complications related to his injuries, according to the page. Officials confirmed those complications ultimately led to his death.
Missouri police officer killed in the line of duty while serving warrant; suspect found dead
Mississippi County, MO — A Missouri police officer has been killed while assisting in a mutual aid operation in Mississippi County, according to officials. Officer Henry Franklin, 41, was fatally shot on Oct. 6, while helping the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office serve a warrant at a residence, per the Sikeston Department of Public Safety (SDPS). The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the warrant was for Nathan B. Peters, 36, who was wanted in connection with a homicide that occurred earlier that day. In a statement released on the SDPS Facebook page, the department said Franklin, a member of the SDPS Tactical Team, had responded as part of a mutual aid request to locate and apprehend Peters. Authorities allege Peters barricaded himself inside the residence and opened fire on officers shortly after 7:35 p.m. and that Franklin was struck by gunfire during the exchange.
Food truck driver killed in rollover crash in Orange County
Santa Ana, CA — A food truck driver was ejected and killed, and a second person was injured in a violent collision in Orange County Tuesday night. The crash involving the food truck and a Chevrolet Trailblazer was reported in the area of South Broadway and Warner Avenue in Santa Ana around 10:45 p.m. Officers and Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived to find that the driver of the food vending truck had been ejected, and the truck had rolled over on top of him, the Santa Ana Police Department stated in a news release Wednesday morning. The driver, identified by police as 67-year-old Richardson Ayala of Anaheim, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with minor injuries. Investigators believe Ayala attempted to make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic while traveling westbound on Warner Avenue when his truck was struck by the SUV traveling in the opposite direction, police said. The impact of the crash caused the food truck to overturn and eject Ayala.
Combine driver killed in crash with train in rural Cass County
PAGE, N.D. — Harvest season turned tragic in rural Cass County on Thursday, Oct. 9, when a combine and a BNSF train collided about five miles northwest of Page, killing the combine driver. Troopers with the North Dakota Highway Patrol said the 33-year-old man from Colgate, N.D., was found dead inside the combine after the collision. The impact caused the lead engine of the train to catch fire and derailed nearly two dozen train cars. Crews with BNSF are still arriving to begin cleanup operations, which could take several days. Just before 11 a.m., the 2020 John Deere combine was headed south on a township road about five miles south of Page, N.D., when it ran into the side of the westbound lead engine. The rail crossing is marked but not controlled. The impact caused the lead locomotive to catch fire, and approximately 20 train cars derailed, spilling cargo into nearby fields, law enforcement officials said. The combine driver died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. The train’s engineer and conductor escaped without injury before the fire.
Worker dies during industrial incident at Westport scrap yard, DA says
WESTPORT, Mass. — A Taunton man died on Friday following an incident at a metal recycling facility in Westport. Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn’s office says authorities were called to Mid City Scrap on State Road for a report of a medical call. Responding crews found Mark Peters, 49, of Taunton, with a “crushing injury” to his lower body, according to investigators. He was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Nurse dies days after Northern California medical helicopter crashes onto Highway 50
Sacramento, CA — The nurse who was on board the helicopter that crashed in Sacramento has died, REACH Air Medical Services said on Saturday. Suzie Smith was identified as one of the people who was in the medical helicopter that crashed onto Highway 50 on Monday. She was seriously injured and had been in critical and unstable condition since the crash.