Industrial accident at Alton Steel claims life of Pennsylvania man
ALTON, Ill. – The Madison County Coroner’s Office has released a preliminary cause of death for a Pennsylvania man who died last week at the former Alton Steel.
Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich’s autopsy says Andrew J. Bengel died of a blunt chest and abdomen trauma.
Bengal died on the morning of Monday, July 20, at the now-closed steel manufacturer.
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According to the coroner’s office, a lifting hook fractured while a crane was operating an overhead lift assembly, sending a heavy chain swinging into Bengel.
Bengal, of Waterford, Pennsylvania, was pronounced dead at the scene just after 1:10 p.m. He was 56.
A final cause of death will not be issued until all reports are completed. The incident is being investigated by the Alton Police Department, Madison County Coroner’s Office, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
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