Michael Raper, Factory Worker, Dies After Falling Into Sausage Grinder

26-year-old Michael Raper died last Wednesday afternoon after falling, tragically, into a meat grinder at his workplace, cured meat and sausage manufacturer Bar-S, in southern Oklahoma, according to KFOR-TV. Raper, who was engaged and had four children, was caught for the machine for two hours before co-workers could get him free. He arrived legless but alive at the hospital, where he died.

Here's the KFOR TV report:

The Occupational Safety and Health Agency is investigating the accident.

Bar-S, which was acquired by Mexican conglomerate ALFA last September, released the following statement:

On Tuesday, July 12, an employee of the Bar-S Foods manufacturing facility in Lawton, Oklahoma was involved in a tragic accident while cleaning a piece of equipment. The employee sustained severe injuries, and was immediately transported to a local hospital where he died the next day. No other employees were involved in the incident. "The entire Bar-S Foods family is mourning the loss of our friend and co-worker," said Tim Day, CEO and Chairman of Bar-S Foods. "We extend our deepest condolences to the employee's family, and we are committed to helping them and our employees get through this difficult period." Bar-S Foods is cooperating with all government authorities, and the company is launching its own investigation into the incident. Bar-S Foods has a strong safety track record and is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all its employees.

The company, which prides itself on its bologna, is looking for a new HR administrator in Oklahoma. Any takers?

Comments

[KarenInCheyenne]

05:56 PM on 07/20/2011

"Six Feet Under" had something VERY similar in one episode (no one else in the factory for that one, tho')

[jacksnurse]

01:18 PM on 07/20/2011

I wonder if the price of sausage is going to go up now??

[WAY2MCCOOL]

01:11 PM on 07/20/2011

I couldn't imagine buying meat named BAR-S. Go Organic, local, grass-fed and or/pastured and minimally processed. If you like sausage have a local organic butcher or Whole Foods meat counter grind it fresh for you the day you buy it. The whole corporation/conglomerate of meat products and producers makes me sick to think about.. Conventional, anti-biotic, hormone filled, mass produced "meat products"... so disgusting.

[Herkybird]

12:59 AM on 07/20/2011

Crosses sausages off shopping list.

[CapsFan1988]

12:45 PM on 07/20/2011

agreed...

[slackgeek]

10:55 PM on 07/19/2011

*shutter*... so sad.. what a way to go, eeek. i officially let this story exit my brain and instead fill my mind with sunshine and butterflies and rainbows.

[Trittydi]

03:24 PM on 07/19/2011

I didn't want - or need - to know this.
*

[cindyw]

03:07 PM on 07/19/2011

The worst part is that he was alive in the grinder for two hours. I hope the poor man was unconscious.

[adamben]

02:49 PM on 07/19/2011

two hours? how is it possible for no one to notice for that long? where is the emergency off switch? and why are they showing tasty, browning sausages as the lead photo? what, no cabbage or peppers???

[corruptkingpin07]

04:23 PM on 07/19/2011

Im assuming he was caught in the machine for 2 hours even after they hit the e-stop. Once he fell in and was tangled it was probably a delicate process to remove him that took 2 hours in itself.

[adamben]

07:34 PM on 07/19/2011

oy.

[KarenInCheyenne]

05:56 PM on 07/20/2011

STILL nasty . . .

[samba2623]

12:46 PM on 07/19/2011

Hmmm human sausage.

[colonelsun68]

08:31 AM on 07/19/2011

A sad story. Equally as sad is the photo you guys chose to run with it. This is funny to you?

[Manina Duque]

11:59 PM on 07/18/2011

Why is this in the food section?

[Trittydi]

03:25 PM on 07/19/2011

Excellent question.
*

[prettyjessica223]

11:09 PM on 07/18/2011

sorry to hear he died.......on a another note......did they throw all that meat out that is the question

[wthomas]

08:14 AM on 07/19/2011

See now I'm gonna have throw out the Bar-S hot dogs I have in my freezer.

[KarenInCheyenne]

05:58 PM on 07/20/2011

naw, those are still good, as long as you bought them before the 12th of July.

[lisaman]

07:42 PM on 07/18/2011

Whenever I see a story like this I think of Rand Paul saying how regulations hurt the companies who run the coal industry. It is the same all over with republicans, this incident is one person to them and hardly worth making the company incur loses with things like, investigations, safety regulations, and proper procedures like, lock out, tag out. I would be willing to bet that this company was non union with only the owners and/or money makers to oversee the safety of the workers. Of course if it were in China, the guy would have bit the bullet and went back to work, like all good workers do. I believe that is what is going on here anyway, the republicans and their wealthy backers are out to remake the American worker. No longer will there be breaks, overtime, and decent pay. No more vacations, no more holidays, no more sick days, just work. Work to live.

[Tazirai]

07:38 PM on 07/18/2011

Heh and Republicans want LESS Regulations... I seriously don't see how people vote republican.
I understand they have the best interests of Business at heart.. but come on.

[Abbey Normal]

07:59 PM on 07/18/2011

They don't care who or what we eat.

[NYnotLiberal]

07:52 AM on 07/19/2011

How, in your twisted logic, can you tie this in to the Republicans? This was a terrible workplace accident. It had nothing to do with politics. Put your tinfoil hat back on.

[rigmoten]

07:37 PM on 07/18/2011

Horrible story. It's hard for me to find the right words to convey how much I feel for the victim and his family, the terror that must have been going through his and their mind.

Is it normal in a factory like this to have this kind of machinery low enough so as one could slip and fall into it?