Crime & Safety

Mastic Beach Man Dies After Falling Off Forklift

Industrial accident occurred in Center Moriches Tuesday evening, police say.

A Mastic Beach man died after falling off a forklift and hitting his head on a metal post while working in Center Moriches on Tuesday evening.

Santos Ortiz, 37, was operating a forklift at Kurt Weiss Greenhouses, located at 95 Montauk Highway, when he lost control of the forklift, hit his head on a metal post and fell to the ground, according to police.

Ortiz was transported to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue where he was pronounced dead.

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Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified.

An autopsy will be conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner to determine the cause of death.

Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Baysfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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