A longtime employee of Baker Tank Company, located on Texas Highway 64, was killed early this morning when a tank rolled over on the Tyler man.

Smith County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 James Meredith said he was called to the scene after the accident to pronounce Efrain Flores, 46, dead.

Smith County Sheriff Lt. Larry Wiginton said his office responded to the scene.

“We respond when there is a traumatic injury that results in a death," he said. “This was just a workplace accident.”

As Meredith and Smith County Sheriff detectives looked over the scene, some coworkers stood watching while others distanced themselves from the area.

Meredith said Flores and several others were preparing to move the tank. He apparently pulled blocks from the tank and it rolled over on him, crushing the man.

“He removed the blocks before the others were ready and he was crushed by the tank when it started rolling,” he said.

Meredith said he ordered an autopsy, and the body was transported to Southeast Forensics Lab in Tyler.

“It was an accident but OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) will be investigating the accident because it resulted in a death,” he said.

• Industrial Injuries and Safety
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• Industrial Accident - Bureau of Labor Statistics
Statistics of industry illness and injuries - compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor - from 1994 through 2005.