OSHA Investigating Fatal Accident at Construction Site in Lavonia

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating a fatal accident at a construction site in Lavonia.

It happened last Thursday at the Clear Creek Apartments in Lavonia.

Lavonia Police Chief Shane Edmisten tells WLHR News the accident happened while the worker was trying to dump some construction trash.

Franklin County Coroner Scott O’Barr said the worker, who was not an employee of Clear Creek, died when a forklift carrying construction debris fell on him.

“Witnesses saw it happen,” he said. “One witness who saw the debris fall on him was on the roof so it took him some to get down to him. When he finally did get to the man, he called 911.”

O’Barr said EMS arrived at the scene and worked on the man for about an hour. He was taken to St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was from the metro Atlanta area.

Edmisten said he was a Hispanic male and while he had legal identification, O’Barr said they are having trouble locating next of kin in Mexico.

O’Barr said the body will be sent to the GBI Crime Lab for autopsy.

WLHR News will bring you more information on this story as details become available.