NEENAH — A 58-year-old Neenah man was killed Sunday morning in an industrial accident that resulted from a “mechanical failure” during routine maintenance operations at Neenah Foundry Co. Plant No. 2 at 2121 Brooks Ave.
Winnebago County Coroner Barry Busby and Neenah police on Sunday night identified the victim as Paul J. Merkley. An autopsy was scheduled for today in Fond du Lac.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the employee’s family,” said Robert Spence, secretary and general counsel for Neenah Enterprises, parent company of Neenah Foundry.
Spence said Merkley was a longtime employee, but he declined to provide more information about the incident pending further investigation.
Neenah police and fire officials were called at 10:48 a.m. Sunday to assist with the incident. No one else was injured, police said.
A company press release on Sunday indicated Merkley's death was the result of an “industrial mechanical failure.”
“The plant was not operating at the time,” Spence said. “We were conducting maintenance operations.”
Merkley was pronounced dead at the scene and there was at least one co-worker that witnessed the accident, Busby said.
“There doesn’t appear to be any foul play involved,” he said.
“It’s definitely a tragedy that a 58-year-old was doing his job and an accident happened,” Busby said.
Spence said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified Sunday and an OSHA official was expected to be on scene today.
Neenah Police Lt. Tom VanSambeek said Sunday that he did not believe there was any ongoing police investigation regarding the fatality.
Neenah Enterprises is the indirect parent holding company of Neenah Foundry Co., a maker of iron castings and steel forgings, including manhole covers and grates, for municipal and industrial markets.
Winnebago County Coroner Barry Busby and Neenah police on Sunday night identified the victim as Paul J. Merkley. An autopsy was scheduled for today in Fond du Lac.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the employee’s family,” said Robert Spence, secretary and general counsel for Neenah Enterprises, parent company of Neenah Foundry.
Spence said Merkley was a longtime employee, but he declined to provide more information about the incident pending further investigation.
Neenah police and fire officials were called at 10:48 a.m. Sunday to assist with the incident. No one else was injured, police said.
A company press release on Sunday indicated Merkley's death was the result of an “industrial mechanical failure.”
“The plant was not operating at the time,” Spence said. “We were conducting maintenance operations.”
Merkley was pronounced dead at the scene and there was at least one co-worker that witnessed the accident, Busby said.
“There doesn’t appear to be any foul play involved,” he said.
“It’s definitely a tragedy that a 58-year-old was doing his job and an accident happened,” Busby said.
Spence said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified Sunday and an OSHA official was expected to be on scene today.
Neenah Police Lt. Tom VanSambeek said Sunday that he did not believe there was any ongoing police investigation regarding the fatality.
Neenah Enterprises is the indirect parent holding company of Neenah Foundry Co., a maker of iron castings and steel forgings, including manhole covers and grates, for municipal and industrial markets.
