Ohio Construction Accident Leaves One Dead

William Shearn, 34, of Middletown was part of a construction crew determined to install water pipes near the bridge on Interstate 71 in Deerfield Township. Shearn was using a trench digging machine at 4 a.m. when he was pierced by the equipment he was using. Shearn’s injuries were fatal and after an hour of being conscious he died shortly after.

 

Investigators determined the accident was caused by a failure to reattach the proper machine parts to the trench digger, which caused a separation in the equipment due to a latch not being properly fastened.

 

A second worker was also facing difficulties during the accident by being trapped in the trench after Shearn was impaled. The worker remained in the trench and could not be freed until rescuers at the scene removed Shearn’s body from the machine. Reports indicated the second coworker was not injured, just shaken up by the incident.

 

Grief counselors had been called to the construction site to talk to co-workers early the following morning. The northbound lanes of Mason-Montgomery Road remained open throughout the accident; however, the southbound lanes were closed for a great deal of the morning.

If you or someone you know has been injured or hurt at work you need information. Contact our Ohio Workers’ Compensation lawyers at 800.637.8170 to order your free copy of “The Ohio Workers’ Compensation Book”.