Worker crushed to death at machinery company

A man was crushed to death in an industrial accident in downtown Salt Lake City on Tuesday.

The victim, 38, whose name was not released, was helping to off-load a forklift and a hydraulic lift from a semitrailer just after 1 p.m., said Salt Lake City Fire spokesman Scott Freitag.

The equipment was being dropped off at Lund Machinery Co., 46 S. Orange St. (1900 West), for repair.

The semi driver went to turn a winch that would lower the forklift to the ground when he heard a thud. He went around to see what happened and found the other worker crushed between the two pieces of machinery, Freitag said.

The man was killed instantly, he said.

Investigators were unsure Tuesday why the victim stepped between the two pieces of heavy equipment.

All of the safety devices appeared to be in place, Freitag said. It was unclear what caused the man to become pinned between the lift and forklift.