‘Hardworking’ NJ Longshoreman Dies In Accident At Port Newark: Union

NEWARK, NJ — An early morning workplace accident claimed the life of a 59-year-old dock worker at Port Newark last week, authorities said.

An investigation has been launched after a large vehicle overturned at the Port Newark Container Terminal, killing an employee on July 13, a Port Authority spokesperson told NJ.com.

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) identified him as Uriel Matamoros, an ILA Local 1233 member.

Matamoros, who some affectionately knew by his nickname, “Popeye,” is survived by a wife and two teenage children, the union said.

According to the ILA, Matamoros died when a Noell Straddle Carrier he was operating toppled over at berth 51.

“Once again, we were faced with the terrible responsibility to tell an ILA family that their husband, and father is not returning home from work,” President Harold Daggett said.

“Our industry is a dangerous profession, which is why we fight hard in negotiations for top level training programs,” Daggett said. “Our industry partners and the ILA must redouble our efforts to make certain we prevent accidents like the one that took the life of Brother Matamoros.”

An eight-year veteran of the ILA, Matamoros was remembered by ILA Local 1233 President Buddy Smith and many of his co-workers and employers as “one of the hardest-working longshoreman around.”

His presence at Port Newark will be missed by people outside of New Jersey; messages of condolences have poured into the ILA from dockworkers from around the country and world, the union reported.

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