MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — A man was killed Monday morning after being struck by a forklift at a Monroe County chicken house, according to a press release from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office confirms the accident happened at Vanhuss Poultry in Smarr, which is located on Rumble Road.
They say Gary Patterson, 68, of Fairmount was killed during the workplace accident on Monday. The sheriff's office says they responded to the scene just after 7 a.m.
Monroe County Coroner Joey Proctor was called to the scene at 7:30 a.m.
He says seven people were working overnight catching chickens, according to an investigator.
"None of them admitted to being on the forklift...so they were trying to get them to determine exactly what happened," Proctor said. "I went in and examined the body and the injuries were to the pelvis, hips, legs, and abdomen."
CEO Thomas Vanhuss told 13WMAZ that Patterson is a contracted truck driver who delivers chickens to Purdue and is not an employee of Vanhuss Poultry.
At this point in the investigation, they don't believe the circumstances of Patterson's death are suspicious, but they say the case is currently under investigation.
If you have any information, you can reach out to the sheriff's office at 478-994-7010 or the sheriff's office investigator on the case at 478-994-7043 extension 256, the press release says.
They also accept anonymous tips through the Monroe County Sheriff's Office's app, the sheriff's office says.
13WMAZ is working to learn more information about the accident Monday morning. A crew is on its way to the scene, and we're looking to get connected to the owner of the company.
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