CHARLOTTE, N.C. --
A north Charlotte plant is shutdown after an accident killed one worker and injured another.
Investigators said a contract worker was repairing and reassembling a massive steel furnace when he got trapped at the Gerdau Ameristeel plant at the corner of Lakeview Road and Old Statesville Road. That man died and a co-worker trying to help him was injured shortly after 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. The second worker was treated at the scene.
Investigators have not released the victims names or the name of the contract company, but they said it is based in South Carolina.
Firefighters said responding to such incidents is challenging and disturbing for them.
We come to work to try to make a rescue, to try to save somebodys life, said Capt. Rob Brisley with the Charlotte Fire Department. It is difficult when we get here with our equipment and we still cant make a difference.
Gerdau Ameristeel issued a statement about the worker's death that expressed its sincere condolences and regrets to the individual family and loved ones.
The company also said its working with authorities during the investigation.
The CFD and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are working with the North Carolina Department of Labor to try to figure out exactly what happened.
The mill is scheduled to re-open on Jan. 5.
Copyright 2008 by . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
