A sub-contractor working at a Linden property Monday was found dead inside a large container of mineral oil, police said.
Police were called shortly before 2 p.m. to the corner of Park and Brunswick avenues and found the 71-year-old Iselin man dead inside the bulk liquid container, according to a statement from the Linden Police Department.
Detectives said the man was on top of the container when he accidentally fell inside while working.
At the time of the incident, the 6,000-gallon container was being filled with mineral oil, a highly refined petroleum-derived liquid, the police department said.
The man was retrieved from the container by personnel from the Bayway and Linden Fire Departments and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The incident is under investigation by the department and OSHA, authorities said.