CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A Clarksville man died recently in a construction workplace accident in Hendersonville after a pallet of materials fell on top of him. Ronnie Thompson, 43, died Tuesday, April 27.
According to an initial incident report from the Hendersonville Police Department, Thompson was killed when a pallet of 1-inch thick drywall fell on him. Thompson was on the job with Valley Interior Products, a construction supply company.
The operator of a skid loader, who was “visibly shaken,” according to the report, said Thompson had just undone the straps that held the pallet to a flatbed truck, and the operator was trying to move the pallet.
The operator noticed the pallet was caught on another stack directly above where Thompson was standing, the report said. He alerted Thompson to spot him, and the pallet fell. The operator immediately called 911. Another employee onsite heard the commotion and tried remove the drywall that had fallen onto Thompson.
Another construction site employee with Lennar Construction began CPR on Thompson until EMS arrived, according to the report. Thompson was transported to an area hospital where he died.
Chris Cannon, assistant administrator of communications at the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration, confirmed to Clarksville Now that TOSHA has started an investigation. Cannon added that TOSHA does not release preliminary information during the investigative process.
Tony Runzo, branch manager of the Nashville Valley Interior Products location, declined to comment on the matter.
Clarksville Now has reached out to Lennar for comment.