Worker struck, killed by 1-ton garbage bale in Philadelphia

Authorities say a worker was fatally struck by a one-ton garbage bale at a Philadelphia trash-transfer station.

Police say the 42-year-old man was struck by the 2,000-pound bale at a Waste Management Inc. site Tuesday. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead just before 8:30 a.m.

The Philadelphia Daily News reported that a company representative identified him as a facility employee but declined to release further information about him. Waste Management spokesman John Hambrose called it “a day of profound sadness” for the victim’s family and the company.

He says the company is working with local authorities.

A spokeswoman for the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration said the agency would investigate.