UPDATE: The man killed has been identified as 31-year-old Michael Huntley according to the Grant County Coroners Office.
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MOSES LAKE, Wash. - The Grant County sheriff's office says a worker was killed Tuesday evening in an industrial accident at the Genie Industries plant near Moses Lake.
The Moses Lake man was pinned by falling equipment and pronounced dead after he was taken to a hospital.
The state Department of Labor and Industries is investigating.
Genie Industries makes lift equipment used in construction and building maintenance.
GENIE INDUSTRIES STATEMENT REGARDING FATAL ACCIDENT
It is with profound sadness that Genie Industries confirms that a fatal accident involving a Genie team member occurred on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at approximately 7:30 p.m. at our Moses Lake facility. Our foremost concern at this moment is for our team member's grieving family. Out of respect for the family's privacy, we are not releasing the deceased team member's name at this time.
After contacting local first responders and law enforcement immediately after the accident, Genie then contacted the Washington Department of Labor & Industries and asked that an investigation begin immediately. We are working with both internal and external experts to investigate the root cause of this tragic accident. We have temporarily ceased operations at the Moses Lake facility as the investigation proceeds.
In the 50 years of its history, Genie has never experienced a team member fatality at any of its facilities. We are fully committed to supporting a thorough investigation. As always, we are mindful of the well-being and safety of our other team members. We are providing on-site counseling to help team members deal with this tragic event.