A STAFF at the Fielders Delite Flour mill was crushed to death on Monday morning while cleaning a flour mixing machine.
The accident took place at around 9am at the factory site which is located opposite the Water Front night club in east of Honiara.
Initial reports stated the victim in his 40s from North Malaita was busy inside the mixer doing routine cleaning up when some one suddenly switched on the machine, crushing the man, killing the deceased on the spot.
Speaking to the paper, a staff Bradley Toloa said, Mondays and Tuesdays are normal maintenance and clean up day for them at the factory.
Mr Toloa who works as a flower packer, added that the deceased and three of the boys were assigned to clean up the newly installed mixture machine that is located besides the old Fielders factory.
It was claimed the deceased went into the machine which is about 20-30 metres in height and sat at its top floor (first stage) of the machine while doing his cleaning up.
Two others were below him also cleaning.
It was then that, some one turned on the switch, which was located at the bottom of the machine so it was difficult for the men to do anything, Mr Toloa said.
“Suddenly the machine pulled the deceased, squeezed and smashed his body resulting in the horrifying accident,” he said.
Despite attempts to pull out the victim, the machine crushed the deceased.
The deceased left behind a wife.
Meanwhile Naha Police Station are investigating the incident.
A statement issued by the Police Media Unit said, it was alleged the deceased died inside the factory.
“Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the person.”
Police also appealed to relatives of the deceased to allow police deal with the case and not to take matters into their own hands.
Supervising Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Capital and Crime Prevention, Superintendent Patricia Leta said, “As the Supervising Assistant Commissioner responsible, I would like to appeal to relatives of the deceased to allow police to investigate the matter and not to take the law into their own hands, by confronting the factory management or any individuals.”
The RSIPF has extended its sympathy and condolences with the family and relatives of the deceased.
By JOHN HOUANIHAU
