A tragic industrial accident took place in Poquoson, Virginia (VA) during the Nor’easter which devastated the Commonwealth. A high school student was killed after being caught in a commercial wood chipper that was being used to get rid of storm debris.
My deepest sympathies go out to the student’s friends and family. Losing a loved one is never easy, but to lose them in such a horrendous accident and at such a young age makes this loss especially tragic.
Between 1996 and 2005, 39 employees have been killed in chipper accidents, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Of those industrial accident fatalities, nearly 80 percent resulted from being caught in the chipper.
Wood chipper accidents are statistically rare, but when an accident occurs, the results are usually terrible for the victim. Even if you’re fortunate enough to survive, serious injury (like the loss of a limb or major lacerations) are likely.