Two Workers Die in Separate Mill Accidents Six Days Apart

SAVANNAH, GA—Twice within the span of a week, an accident at a paper mill claimed the life of a worker.

Ricky Salter, 58, a maintenance employee at the International Paper plant here, was killed Aug. 31 during an accident in the mill’s paper roll handling area, WJCL-TV reported. Firefighters and emergency crews arrived at the scene around 2:30 p.m., and Salter was pronounced dead.

“Ricky was a valued and respected member of our Savannah team and was an employee at our mill for more than two years,” International Paper said through a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the death of our team member and friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ricky’s family and friends.”

On Aug. 25, 35-year-old Brant Munster, a contract worker with Somatex Crane, died at a NewPage mill in Rumford, ME, after falling from a crane, WCSH-TV reported.

Munster was approximately 28 feet off the ground doing repair work when he struck a roof support and fell, according to police. That accident was being investigated by officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.