Worker Cooked To Death At California Tuna Plant

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Updated: 10/15/2012 8:58 am
SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a 62-year-old employee was cooked to death at a Southern California seafood plant for tuna maker Bumble Bee Foods.

The Whittier Daily News reports Jose Melena was found shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday at the plant in Santa Fe Springs.

Erika Monterroza is a spokeswoman for the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. She says it's unclear how the man ended up inside a cooking device called a "steamer machine."

The state agency has launched an investigation.

Bumble Bee Foods spokesman Pat Menke expressed condolences to Melena's family in a written statement. Menke says operations at the canning facility will be suspended until Monday.


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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of WKRC-TV :: Cincinnati Weather and Forecasts, Cincinnati News, Breaking News, and Sports for the Cincinnati area, Ohio, northern Kentucky, Indiana, and the tristate area

1excincy - 10/16/2012 8:51 AM
1 Vote
And that comment, Matthew, sums up who and what you really are.

Chenoosesmom - 10/15/2012 12:54 PM
0 Votes
What a horrible way to die. How could this have happened? We all would like to know that answer. My his soul rest in peace and his family also. Can't imagine the pain this poor man suffered. And I think WKRC could have altered the headline just a little. 'WORKER COOKED TO DEATH' is so crude. Please be more careful.

Ammys2Cuties - 10/15/2012 11:48 AM
0 Votes
OMG, how horrible! :(

Cincinnatus - 10/15/2012 8:12 AM
5 Votes
My guess is he was cleaning it internally without all the fail safe devices in place. Personally I wouldn't go in one without the steam line disconnected and the door or lid propped open.

say21wut - 10/15/2012 7:42 AM
5 Votes
Think we may have found the new worst way to die. I've had skinned removed from my hands by steam in the kitchen with just a brief moment of contact. I couldn't imagine the excruciating pain he must have went through. My condolences to the family.
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