News Summary
A construction accident at Lowe’s in North Augusta resulted in the death of 43-year-old Ray C. Straight, an employee from West Virginia. While working on a milling machine, Straight fell and was run over, leading to severe trauma and ultimately his demise on site. First responders were unable to revive him. The investigation is ongoing, focused on verifying witness accounts and assessing workplace safety protocols amidst concerns about construction-related incidents.
North Augusta, S.C. — A tragic construction accident at Lowe’s on Knox Avenue claimed the life of a 43-year-old West Virginia man on Sunday afternoon. The victim, identified as Ray C. Straight, was an employee of a paving crew working in the parking lot at the time of the incident.
The North Augusta Department of Public Safety responded to reports of the accident shortly after 5 p.m. Emergency crews had earlier received a separate call regarding an unrelated incident involving a shooting on Sarah Street, but that was unrelated to the construction site. At 5:04 p.m., officers arrived at the scene where Straight was discovered beneath heavy machinery.
Attempts to revive Straight were made by first responders through CPR; however, these efforts were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:50 p.m. The Aiken County Coroner’s Office reported that he sustained severe head and chest trauma.
According to witness accounts, Straight was on the back ladder of a milling machine when it began to reverse. As a result, he slipped and was run over by the machine. Reports indicate that the operator of the machinery was not acquainted with Straight at that time. While authorities have yet to confirm the exact type of machinery involved, they have stated that witness descriptions suggest a milling machine was in use.
An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted in Newberry in order to further investigate the cause of death. The ongoing investigation is primarily focused on verifying eyewitness accounts of the accident. Officials have noted that preliminary findings do not appear to indicate any criminal activity related to the incident.
In addition to the construction accident, there was another incident reported in the vicinity around the same time. A car crashed into the O’Reilly Auto Parts building on Knox Avenue, adding to the urgency of the emergency response in the area.
Lowe’s has been contacted for a statement regarding the tragic accident, but as of now, they have not provided a response. The events at the construction site have raised concerns about workplace safety and the precautions taken by construction crews operating heavy machinery.
Construction sites are inherently hazardous, and incidents like this underline the importance of stringent safety protocols and operational training for all employees, especially when managing heavy equipment. The investigation will help clarify any safety violations that may have occurred during this tragic event and whether additional measures are needed to prevent future accidents of this nature.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with construction work and the critical need for constant vigilance and adherence to safety procedures. As authorities continue to investigate, more information is expected to emerge regarding the circumstances leading to this fatal accident.
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Additional Resources
- WJBF News
- Wikipedia: Workplace Safety
- WRDW News
- Google Search: Construction Safety Protocols
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- Google Scholar: Construction Accidents
- Fox Carolina News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Construction Site Safety
- Augusta Press
- Google News: Fatal Construction Accident North Augusta
