Accident Claims Life at NC Paper Mill

CATAWBA, NC—One worker died and another was injured Tuesday following an incident at Resolute Forest Products, a former AbitibiBowater plant, the Rock Hill Herald reported. The two victims were part of a contracted three-man crew who were cleaning a 10x40-ft. fume tank in the plant's power generation area.

An autopsy was performed on Samir Storey, 39, who passed away at 1:30 a.m. His body was not burned, but investigating officials did not rule out the possibility of a chemical incident, the newspaper reported. There was not an explosion.

The other injured contract worker, who was not identified, was treated for a "minor irritation" and transported to the Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, NC. The third worker was examined at the plant by on-site medical staff, but was unharmed.

Cotton Howell, director of York County Emergency Management, speculated that a chemical might have leaked into the tank while it was being cleaned. That department, as well as the state Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration, are investigating the incident.