ILOILO City – An 18-year-old man was killed in a freak accident involving a meat grinding machine at a food factory in Barangay Mansaya-Lapuz, district of La Paz. Joemar Junco died of severe head injuries and a broken hand, police said.
It took the responders one hour to retrieve his body, which was swallowed by the grinding machine head first down to the waist.
Corporal Jennifer Espora of the La Paz police station said Junco was with two co-workers when the incident happened around 7:30 a.m. on June 22 at Akhira’s Frozen Foods and Manokan, owned by Joselor Jaleco.
The grinding machine caught Junco’s hands first; it then pulled the victim further inside, the police initial investigation showed.
Junco was a resident of Lauan, Antique. He had been working at the factory for only about two weeks together with his elder brother.
“Perhaps he tried to operate the machine. But since he has no knowledge [how to operate it], his hands were probably caught first, then half of his body,” said Espora.
Junco’s co-workers who were only identified as “Carl” and “Gerald” said they did not hear any scream or call for help from the victim.
When they discovered what happened, it was too late to save Junco. All they could do was turn off the machine.
The police believe there was no foul play in Junco’s death. Espora said it was “purely accidental,” but an investigation is still ongoing.
Factory owner Jaleco said Junco’s task only involves packing frozen food products, not operating the grinding machine.
“He was a good worker and was dedicated to his work…We are willing to provide for his burial expenses,” Jaleco added./PN
