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Sam Penrod ReportingAn industrial accident at the LDS Church's Distribution Center has killed one worker. The 32-year old man was working in the printing area when he got caught in some machinery.
The vitim has been identified as 32-year old Adan Smith. He was caught in a paper recycling machine. It happened just before 2:00 this afternoon. Fire and rescue crews were called after the worker was reported to be caught in the machinery.
A co-worker shut the machine down and was able to pull the victim out, but the man's injuries to his chest were so severe, paramedics' efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The man was operating a large paper recycler, which compacts scrap paper from the printing of literature, which is produced by the LDS church then distributed around the world.
Right now, investigators are trying to determine how the man got caught in the machine.
Det. Dwayne Baird, Salt Lake City Police Dept: "It's just hard to say right now. We're early on in this investigation. It's not a criminal investigation. It appears to be an industrial accident. Other governmental agencies will be here to look at it, but right now there doesn't seem to be any criminal wrong-doing."
Employees in this particular area of the Distribution Center were allowed to go home shortly after the accident.
By all accounts, the facility has a good safety record. Both Salt Lake Police and Fire say they don't remember any previous serious incidents. OSHA investigators are on the scene, trying to find answers in this fatal accident.
The LDS Church released a written statement this afternoon, saying, their hearts and prayers go out to the family of Adan Smith, who is described as a hard-working employee and good friend, and one who will be dearly missed.
