BLOSSBURG - Ward Manufacturing LLC's foundry was shut down Monday after a worker was killed in an industrial accident.
Dustin Dobson, 26, of Mansfield, was hired by Ward Manufacturing about two months ago, according to a family member. He is the son of William P. and Kathy Dobson, of Liberty, and lived in Mansfield with his longtime girlfriend.
The family member said that Dustin proudly was following in his father's footsteps and was able to join the company in which his father also works.
Bill Williams, vice president of human resources at Ward, said Tuesday it is the first time in recent history there has been a death at the foundry and it has "hit us very hard."
In a statement released by the company, officials said Tioga County Chief Coroner Dr. James Wilson pronounced Dobson dead at the scene.
According to Wilson, Dobson was pronounced dead of blunt force trauma about 12:54 p.m. after he became trapped in a large steel press used to make iron molds.
Wilson said autopsy results should be available today.
According to the statement, the accident happened about 12:30 p.m. at the metal casting center at 105 Tabor St.
The office of Occupational Health and Safety Administration is investigating, the statement said.
"All I can say is we have a compliance officer there today initiating an investigation into the incident," Mark Stelmack, area director of the Wilkes-Barre office of OSHA, said Tuesday.
