TOSHA Investigating Workplace Fatality
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46-year-old, Dan Lawrence Baxter worked in the maintenance department at Elemental Holdings for more than a year. Family members said he frequently told them about equipment problems, but the work endowment made up for it. “He loved working here he made really good money and it was great hours. They were very understanding,” said Cheri Williams, Baxter’s daughter. An equipment malfunction may be the reason he lost his life. Late Tuesday morning, Baxter’s children said they got a call from his manager that a roll of aluminum fell and pinned him against a wall. “And right before he died, he said call my wife and tell her I love her and when they moved the aluminum, I guess he started twitching and he was gone,” cried Cheri Williams. Even though it is common practice for businesses to notify local authorities of a workplace injury, Jackson Police said they were never called and have no report of the incident. “He was rushed to the hospital right away and with all that was going on I never questioned why the police were never called,” explained Williams. Baxter reportedly died about an hour after arriving at the hospital, before any of his children arrived. “They seem very shifty. They’re not trustable to me at least,” said Baxter’s son, Bradley Baxter. Officials here said immediately after the injury, the plant was shut down. They are now slowly reopening different areas, and to find out exactly what went wrong officials are working with TOSHA. TOSHA confirmed they have been notified, to complete and investigation and add their findings will not be released for six to eight weeks. Officials at Elemental Holdings would only speak to ABC7 Eyewitness News off camera. Baxter’s children said they are considering legal action against the company.
