Worker killed when ‘bundle of steel beams’ collapses onto him while unloading truck

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) — A worker died Wednesday after a “bundle of steel beams” collapsed onto him at a steel service center in North Charleston, authorities said.

Authorities responded to Allied Crawford Steel around 10 a.m. regarding an industrial accident. Upon arrival, they found the steel beams on top of the victim, a 44-year-old man. He died shortly after.

A witness told police that he and the victim were offloading a truck. The victim had gone to the hoist closest to the cab of the truck to wrap the bundle of steel beams with a chain.

The witness said he was reaching for the chain from the victim when the back half of the bundle, the half closest to the rear of the truck, fell onto the victim.

According to the witness, he told police that only half of the bundle closest to the cab had been properly secured.

The name of the victim was not immediately released.