By: Richard L. Smith
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Woodbridge Police are investigating a worksite accident that left a woman dead at a food processing plant in Woodbridge Friday afternoon.
Preliminary reports indicated that shortly before 12:45 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched to the United Premium Foods plant at 1 Amboy Avenue to investigate reports of an injured person.
Upon arrival, responders found a severely injured, unidentified female employee who reportedly fell into a large food processor in operation.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have yet to confirm how the worker fell into the machine.
"We are devastated by the loss of our longtime employee, who was a beloved member of our company. Our deepest condolences go out to her daughter at this difficult time. We are fully cooperating with the official investigation," said Ken Mayer, United Premium Foods CEO, in a statement.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office was notified, and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
No other injuries were reported.