First responders were called to a construction site in the area of 2000 W. Winona Ave., Warsaw, just before noon Friday, Aug. 23. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels.

WARSAW — At 11:52 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, Warsaw police, along with other first responders, were dispatched to a workplace industrial accident involving a front-end loader at 2001 W. Winona Ave. This location is used as staging grounds and offices for Meade, a pipe-laying company contracted to do work for NIPSCO in the area.

From the preliminary investigation, it appears that a front-end loader was operating in reverse when another employee was struck. The accident caused a catastrophic head injury and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner.  The identity of the adult male victim is being withheld at this time pending notification of family members.

The operator of the front-end loader, Thomas Patrick Lanham, 54, Leesburg, is cooperating with the investigation. Lanham is an employee of Meade, as was the deceased victim.

Currently, investigators believe this to be an accidental death as there is no evidence of foul play. The coroner has scheduled an autopsy, as this is standard procedure in a workplace accident involving death. Authorities are working to notify next-of-kin.

The investigation continues and at the time of this release, representatives of OSHA were on their way to the scene to conduct their investigation.