A truck driver for Butterball in Longmont was killed after he crawled under the trailer and the truck rolled backward, pinning him under the wheels.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident Wednesday at the North Carolina turkey producer’s Longmont plant, said Herb Gibson, OSHA area director in Denver.
The Longmont Police Department, which also is investigating, found Manuel O. Vega, 44, under the rear passenger side wheels of the truck in the plant’s yard.
Vega was alone when the accident happened, and it isn’t known why he went under the truck.
He died of “mechanical asphyxia,” the Boulder County coroner’s office said.
Vega was one of the drivers called “spotters” who move trucks and their loads around the yard.
“We don’t know what happened, to be honest with you. We are working with the police department in determining the cause of the accident,” said Butterball spokesman Lee Johnson.
Butterball’s chief operating officer, Joe Nalley, was traveling to Longmont today.
“Everyone at Butterball LLC is deeply saddened by this tragedy,” a statement from the company said.
Butterball is a joint venture between Smithfield Foods and Maxwell Farms.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
