Authorities in Florida are investigating the tragic death of a landscaper who fell into a wood chipper outside a town hall near Miami. The incident happened on Tuesday morning when officers from the Ocean Ridge Police Department were called to the scene after an accident involving an employee from a tree trimming company. The landscaper had gotten caught in the wood chipper and suffered serious injuries. When police arrived around 9:30 a.m., they discovered the man had died from his injuries.
The man’s identity has not been released yet, as his family members, who live in Mexico, have not been notified of his death. The incident took place outside the Ocean Ridge Town Hall, where the worker was reportedly part of a contracted team from Carlton’s Tree Service. Officers found no other injuries on the scene.
Lynne Ladner, the Town Manager of Ocean Ridge, expressed her grief about the loss, saying, “I am devastated. It is a horrible loss of life.” She confirmed that the worker died from injuries sustained in the accident. When asked if the man fell into the wood chipper headfirst, she responded, “I believe he was, yes.” Several coworkers and a supervisor witnessed the incident from a distance or tried to help, but it was too late.
Ocean Ridge residents were shocked by the news. Amanda Eder, a local resident, said, “It’s just horrible. The thought of it is just horrible to be sucked into a wood-chipping machine.” Another resident, Monique Hummel, shared similar feelings: “I feel for the family, for the gentleman. And angry. Angry if this could’ve been avoided.”
After the incident, officials immediately notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is now investigating. The wood chipper involved in the accident was equipped with an emergency shutoff switch, but by the time anyone could turn it off, it was too late. Town officials and the police are still looking into the details of the incident.
The company that hired the landscaper, Carlton’s Tree Service, is helping to arrange the victim’s funeral in both the United States and in Mexico. This tragic incident is still under investigation by OSHA and local authorities.
