14-year-old killed in wood chipper incident
November 25, 2009 by Fred HosierPosted in: Bizarre Accident of the Week, Fatality, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Young people and safety
Virginia’s OSHA is investigating the death of a 14-year-old boy killed in an accident involving a commercial wood chipper.
Frank Gornick died instantly according to police.
Authorities believe he was shoveling debris into the chipper when he was pulled in completely.
He was working with two adult employees of Old Dominion Tree and Lawn Care. They were away from the chipper when Gornick was pulled in.
The company is owned by Robert Strickland. He and his wife took Gornick into their home after the death of both his parents.
A policy analyst for the state labor department tells the Daily Press that Virginia child labor laws prohibit anyone under 18 from operating any power woodworking machine. By definition, a wood chipper falls into that category.
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Tags: child labor law, Virginia OSHA, wood chipper
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November 25th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
That’s just to gruesome!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:38 am
This child was my nephew from his mother side of the family. I feel that the person that put my sweet nephews life at risk such be held accountable to maxium for his death along with his aunt who was suppose to be the guardian. Our family is very concern for the lives of our other nephew and neice that remain in their home. I feel that their mother would want justice. She is not around to speak for them but I have proof on who she wanted to raise these children and it is in writing in the court system from her own words as to her last will in testment and wishes. For she was the sole parent who had custody of these children before all of these horrible things started happening to them.
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:10 pm
All I can say if OSHA doesn’t take any action consider seeking assistance with your local department of children and families. They have their own type of investigation and they are more concerned about child safety. Good Luck…
December 8th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
The safety professionals I know and work with in Hampton Roads, VA, were aghast that a fourteen year old boy would be allowed to operate (or work in the vicinity of) such a dangerous piece of machinery. Virginia Child Labor laws are very specific when it concerns individuals employed under the age of eighteen. That said, this employer (he was reportedly working FOR the company) could be held criminally responsible for his horrendous death, regardless of any civil citations and penalties issued by Virginia Department of Labor/VOSH. I believe it is more than warranted in this incident. This DID NOT have to happen. My deepest condolences to the deceased’s Aunt from Orange…..
December 9th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Horrible
December 12th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I am an uncle of Franks in orange,this should never of happened and would not have if frank,his twin sister,and older brother would not have been taken out of orange,away from family and friends,also the school they attended.The owner of this co, should be levied the stiffest fine allowable by law and not permitted to do any work pertaining to work that caused this very tragic accident,and should face the maxium criminal charges that can be given!!!! FRANK we all love you and miss you very much,fly to god and your parents and spread your wings for god has truly recieved a angel
January 13th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
THIS IS SUCH A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE GRIEF AND PAIN THE FAMILY MUST FEEL! SO SORRY!
January 21st, 2010 at 4:02 pm
I am so sorry for the family. I have 4 teenagers and one of them is throwing branches through a chipper as we speak. I have read this story a few times and it scares me to death. My child is 18 but a mom still worries. I am truely sorry for anyone who suffers the loss of a child. We want our children to work hard and show them that having a job is a good thing and then things like this happen. Life is very confusing sometimes and we cannot always be there to protect our children…. very sad
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