LOCAL

Crane accident at Manitowoc claims two lives

Dustin Haluska

Two employees were killed and three others hurt — one seriously — in a Friday morning crane accident the Manitowoc facility in Shady Grove.

Christopher T. Robison, 49, of Marion and John L. Marcoux, 66, of Chambersburg died from injuries suffered in the industrial accident, according to Franklin County Coroner Jeffrey R. Conner.

Isaac Notz, 38, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is still listed in critical condition at York Hospital, where he was flown after the accident that was reported at 8:14 a.m., according to a news release from Pennsylvania State Police.

Ryan Horst, 27, of Greencastle and Gary Chaloupka, 66, of Two Rivers, Wisconsin,

have both been released from Waynesboro Hospital, police report.

"It's a day of sorrow for us. This has deeply impacted all of us," Ion Warner, vice president of marketing and investor relations for Manitowoc Crane Co., said Friday.

Robison was employed at Manitowoc for almost 30 years, most recently in the company's research and development division. Marcoux worked for Manitowoc for 10 years.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene as a result of blunt force trauma, according to Conner.

State police couldn't reveal details from the crane accident due to the ongoing investigation by OSHA but described the scene as "very chaotic."

State police had a forensics team onsite and they also planned on taking aerial photos of the scene. Brent Miller, a state police spokesman, indicated that OSHA investigations can take a "couple of months."

"Our investigation is all accidental, but it will be up to OSHA as to what they determine in their investigation," Miller said.

"We have been cooperating with OSHA and we will continue to cooperate with their investigation. After OSHA findings have concluded, we will have a lot more information to give out," Warner said.

"The Manitowoc Company is extremely concerned about the welfare of their employees and our thoughts and prayers are with the employees and their families who have been affected," Warner said.