Worker at Chelsea plant crushed by elevator

CHELSEA - A 35-year-old employee at State Garden Inc., a produce-processing company located in the New England Produce Center on Beacham Street, was killed yesterday afternoon when a freight elevator he was working on crashed on top of him, authorities said.

The man was under the machine, described as a two-story freight elevator, when its rigging gave way and it crashed. The accident occurred just after 4 p.m., authorities said.

The man's name was not released pending notification of next of kin.

"It appears he was working on the elevator . . . when it just kind of gave way," said Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes.

The incident remains under investigation. Investigators are looking at why the man, who was not trained or certified in elevator repair, was conducting the work.

Chelsea police, detectives, and prosecutors assigned to the Suffolk district attorney's office, and representatives from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration were at the site.

Len Cercone, a spokesman for State Garden, described the freight elevator as more of a pallet lift and said the worker did not need certification.

"It's just unfortunate that it happened, and that's why they're investigating," he said.

Tony Bordieri, the company's chief operating officer, said in a statement that officials were devastated. He described the company as a close-knit, third-generation Chelsea family business. "Everyone of our 300 employees is like family," said Bordieri.

The company is working with investigators, he said.

"We will provide all the details at the appropriate time," Bordieri said in the statement, "but at this point we need to respect the privacy of the family and give them time to absorb this tragic loss. We're in the process of bringing in experts to help our employees through the grieving process and will provide more details as soon as it's appropriate."