Montana Man Killed in Workplace Accident

Authorities say a 24-year-old man who was sandblasting floor grates outside a Helena business died after the lid of the machine’s tank became dislodged and struck him in the head.

Lewis and Clark County Coroner Mickey Nelson tells the Independent Record that Keith J. Carlson of Helena suffered traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at a hospital Tuesday, about an hour after the 11:20 a.m. accident.

Nelson says Carlson, an employee at the YESCO electric sign shop, was using rented equipment when the accident occurred.

Police will not conduct a full investigation since the death was deemed accidental, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified and will probably investigate.