Ford Worker Crushed To Death In Plant Incident Named As Company Launches Investigation

An Ohio worker who was crushed to decease astatine 1 of Ford’s plants has been named, according to reports.

Gregory Knopf was killed astatine nan Sharonville Transmission Plant connected Monday aft getting pinned by a property machine. He was 64 years old.

A Sharonville Police Department spokesperson told The Cincinnati Enquirer that nan instrumentality had been undergoing regular attraction erstwhile it “inadvertently turned on.”

First responders were called to nan segment astatine 9.45 am. After nan worker was pulled from nan machine, medics started performing life-saving measures.

Knopf was subsequently rushed to Bethesda North Hospital, wherever he later died, according to Sharonville Police.

The spokesperson added that location were “multiple witnesses” to nan incident, which is being considered arsenic an “industrial accident.”

Knopf’s son, Corey, told WCPO that his begetter “absolutely loved his family.”

“In conscionable a matter of minutes, everything went from going astir your time arsenic normal to changing your life for nan remainder of your life," he added.

Miranda Boutwell, Knopf’s daughter, said that her begetter was ever “willing to thief anyone successful need.”

“I wish he would beryllium astir to spot nan remainder of my life, but I cognize that he will beryllium proud, and I cognize that he is proud," Boutwell told WCPO.

In his obituary, Knopf is described arsenic a lifelong resident of Cincinnati who was survived by his woman of 39 years and his 4 children.

“Greg built a life centered connected faith, family, and difficult work. He was a skilled plumber and tube fitter who took pridefulness successful his trade and nan activity of his hands. Above all, he loved nan Lord and his family pinch his full heart, a emotion that was evident successful nan measurement he lived and cared for those astir him,” nan tribute sounds successful part.

The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, nan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and nan Ford Motor Company are each investigating nan accident, according to police.

Jessica Enoch, a spokesperson for Ford, confirmed nan incident successful a connection fixed to The Detroit Free Press.

“Our deepest condolences are pinch nan friends and family of our squad member,” Enoch said. “Counseling services are disposable for our labor astatine nan plant.

“Safety is our highest privilege and we are investigating nan incident,” she continued. “We would besides for illustration to convey our organization first responders.”

Laura Dickerson, nan vice president of nan United Auto Workers, shared her ain statement astir Knopf’s decease connected X.

“No 1 should ever spell to activity and ne'er travel home,” Dickerson wrote. “It is our ineffable work arsenic a national to protect nan life, health, and information of our members connected nan job.

“Members merit a workplace free of threat to life and body,” she continued. “Our prayers are pinch nan family, co-workers and loved ones of our fallen brother.”

There were 5,070 fatal activity injuries successful 2024, according to nan astir caller Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries conducted by nan Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The study besides recovered that 1 worker died each 104 minutes from a work-related wounded that aforesaid year.

Workers successful proscription and worldly moving occupations knowledgeable nan astir fatalities. An estimated 1,391 workers from that assemblage died from fatal activity injuries successful 2024, according to nan CFOI.

The Independent has contacted nan Ford Motor Company and nan Sharonville Police Department for further comment.