A teenager was killed after being pulled into an industrial meat grinder at the food processing plant where he worked. The 19-year-old died in the horrifying incident at Tina’s Burritos in Vernon, California, on Sunday evening.
Witnesses said the teen was cleaning the machine at around 9.30pm on July 13 when it unexpectedly turned on, ABC7 Eyewitness News reported. Other workers heard him calling for help and tried to turn off the machine, but were unable to do so in time.
The man was reportedly already dead by the time emergency services arrived at the scene.
Sgt Daniel Onopa of the Vernon Police Department said there was no indication of foul play, and all indications are that it was an accident.
“Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and coworkers affected by this tragedy,” he said, Mail Online reported.
People who appeared to be factory workers could be seen “in an emotional state” outside the site following the incident, ABC7 said.
The victim’s name has not been released.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health will carry out an investigation into the worker’s death.
Vernon is in Los Angeles County, about five miles south of downtown LA.
