Tyson Foods worker killed in plant accident

Tyson Foods confirmed a plant accident early this morning (March 15) in Dakota City, Neb. has claimed the life of one employee.

“We’re deeply saddened by the tragic death of Rodney Bridgett, and are investigating what happened,” Tyson spokesman Worth Sparkman said.

Bridgett was a maintenance worker in Tyson's beef processing plant who sustained fatal injuries while servicing a piece of industrial equipment just after midnight, when the plant was not in operation.

Sparkman said the worker was immediately taken to a local hospital, but did not survive.

The company confirmed the accident is now under internal and federal investigation. Tyson Foods' chaplains have been called in to provide support as well.

March 1, Tyson Foods announced it was in the process of a major renovation and update for the Dakota City beef plant. The construction on the multi-million upgrade intends to raise operating efficiencies by mid-2013.

The flagship beef facility is nearly 50 years old and employs 4,000 workers.