Man killed in Bethel Twp. workplace accident identified

Clark County crews responded to Enon Sand and Gravel after a man fell in a hopper there. Marshall Gorby/Staff

Clark County crews responded to Enon Sand and Gravel after a man fell in a hopper there. Marshall Gorby/Staff

Rodger A. Zimmerman of Springfield has been identified as the victim of a workplace accident that occurred last week at Enon Sand and Gravel in Bethel Twp.

The 56-year-old equipment operator was killed after falling and becoming trapped in a gravel hopper, officials reported at the time of the accident, which occurred Saturday, May 2.

Zimmerman’s identity was confirmed to the News-Sun on Friday by the Clark County Coroner’s Office. Private services were held for his family on Thursday and it was live streamed on the Littleton and Rue Funeral Home’s Facebook page, according to Zimmerman’s obituary.

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Jacob King, the fire chief of Bethel Twp. Fire Department, confirmed shortly after the accident that the victim was an employee of Enon Sand and Gravel, located at 1655 Enon Road. King said at the time that Zimmerman had reportedly noticed a conveyor belt that was not working under a hopper.

Initial reports indicate that he may have climbed to the top of the hopper to attempt to dislodge gravel before falling in.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office was reported to be the first to respond to the scene and two deputies began attempting to free Zimmerman.

The News-Sun previously reported that crews from Clark County, Enon-Mad River Twp., Springfield Twp. and Bethel Twp. responded to the scene and had to work together to attempt to free Zimmerman, but initial rescue attempts were unsuccessful.

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Zimmerman was recovered after crews disassembled a conveyor belt below the hopper, the News-Sun previously reported.

Zimmerman was working and other workers were present during the time of the accident.

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