OCEAN RIDGE, Fla. — An employee of a tree trimming service died Tuesday after he got caught in a wood chipper at the Ocean Ridge Town Hall, officials said.
Police responded to the incident at about 9:30 a.m.
WATCH BELOW - 'Horrible loss of life': Tree trimmer dies in wood chipper accident
When officers arrived, they found one person had died from injuries sustained in the accident.
Ocean Ridge Town Manager Lynne Ladner said a contracted vendor was hired to trim the trees around the police station and town hall.
However, one of the workers went to put an object in the wood chipper, he got caught in the machine and was pulled in head first.
"The individual was working by themself doing tree trimming and feeding a wood chipper," Ladner said. "Other members of the crew saw it happening is my understanding and immediately began responding as did our staff and officers."
Officials said the accident happened within 30 minutes of starting the job.
Ladner said incidents like this are rare for the small town.
"I am not aware of another work site accident of this level or any level in at least the last 10 to 15 years," Ladner said.
OSHA was notified and responded to the scene.
Town officials said Boynton Beach Fire Rescue is providing grief counseling to town employees and vendor staff.
The town manager said no other individuals were injured in the accident, and the man's family will be notified in Mexico.
"It is a horrible loss of life," Ladner said.
