Incident at Arcosa results in 1 death, 1 injury

A fatal, work-related incident this past weekend at Arcosa, a wind tower manufacturing plant in Newton, has resulted in one person dead and another critically injured, the Newton Fire Department confirmed Monday.

The Newton Fire Department reported to the on-site incident about 3:50 p.m. Saturday at 801 N. 19th Ave. E. Emergency crews transported two people — whose names have not yet been released to the public — from the scene.

Previously known as Trinity Structural Towers until this past year, the wind tower manufacturer employs more than 180 workers in its roughly 335,000-square-foot facility. The company has been producing wind tower sectionals in Newton since 2008.

Early reports Monday misidentified the incident taking place at the neighboring TPI Composites plant, which manufactures wind blades and electric bus bodies. Officials confirmed with the Newton Daily News the incident did not occur at TPI.

A spokesperson from Arcosa has not returned calls from the Newton Daily News for comment.

KCOB reported Arcosa officials released a statement in reference to the incident. According to the company’s spokesperson, Jeff Eller, the injured worker remains hospitalized in serious condition and the proper regulatory agencies have been notified. Eller said the cause of the incident remains under investigation and plant production has been reduced to aid in the investigation.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com