60-Year-Old Plant Worker Dies After Falling Into Vat Of Acid

An Ohio industrial worker died after he fell into a vat of chemicals while working early this week.

The victim was identified as 60-year-old Dana Swisher, a worker at Techmetals, Inc. in Dayton, Ohio, said the Daily Mail.

Swisher's untimely death came before 9:00 a.m. Tuesday. Officers responded to a 911 call wherein the caller reported that a man fell into a four-foot deep tank, the outlet added, citing a report from WDTN.

Authorities who arrived at the scene later confirmed that Swisher fell into a tank filled with liquid chromic acid, a solution that is mainly used for chromium electroplating and anodizing, among others.

People, who extended an obtained 911 call by WHIO, said that the victim was found “in a tight space” of tank, which made it difficult for his co-workers to rescue him.

Authorities who arrived at the scene also told People that they found workers performing CPR on Swisher, but he died shortly afterwards.

Those who helped get Swisher out of the tank were immediately decontaminated. They were also advised to go to the hospital, but they refused to have additional treatment, authorities told the Daily Mail.

The call was first deemed as an industrial accident, but it was later changed to a possible drowning. First responders then updated the call to a HAZMAT incident, added the outlet, citing a WHIO report.

The Dayton Fire Department believed that a “medical emergency” may have led to Swisher falling into the tank.

“Once we get more answers, Techmetals will communicate what we learn. Until then, all we have is the opportunity to support one another during this emotional and somber time.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones,” a Techmetal, Inc. spokesperson said in a statement.

The spokesperson told People that Swisher is a 39-year plating veteran at the company.