PA Worker Dies After Falling In Bean Hopper: Coroner

PENN TOWNSHIP, PA — An employee at a food processing plant in Penn Township is dead after falling into a bean hopper on Tuesday, authorities said.

Authorities were called to Hanover Foods at 1550 York St. early Tuesday morning for a reported employee death, York County Coroner Pamela Gay said in a news release. According to authorities, witnesses said the 59-year-old male employee fell in the bean hopper around 2:40 a.m.

The coroner's office said other employees were able to remove the man from the machine and, according to witnesses, he was conscious and standing upright shortly after he was rescued.

A short time later, authorities said the man lost consciousness. He was pronounced dead shortly after 3:50 a.m., the coroner's office said.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday to determine the manner and cause of death, authorities said. The coroner did not release the victim's name.

Penn Township police and The Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the incident.