Employee Dies in Accident at Southwest Oklahoma Plant

Lawton police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating a deadly accident at a Bar S Foods plant.

Authorities received an emergency call late Tuesday that an employee was trapped in machinery.

Bar S officials say Michael Raper was cleaning an auger when he fell into it. Police Lt. Steve Thornton says a forklift was used to stabilize then cut the auger in two. After it was lifted up, Raper was pulled out.

Capt. Wade Shaw says the 26-year-old Duncan resident died at Comanche County Memorial Hospital the next day.

Bar S Foods vice president for operations Danny Dupree said the company is conducting its own investigation and is working with all government agencies to determine the accident’s cause.

OSHA isn’t releasing details of its investigation.