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A 29-year-old worker died early Thursday at the Pilgrim’s Pride chicken processing plant in Cold Spring, in central Minnesota.

The Cold Spring/Richmond Police Department responded to a medical emergency at the plant shortly after 1 a.m. Police said the employee was pinned under equipment in the plant’s loading dock area. 

The man’s coworkers removed him from under the equipment, and emergency responders provided medical care. But he was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The incident remains under investigation. The man’s name has not yet been released.

Nikki Richardson, a spokesperson for JBS, the meatpacking company that owns Pilgrim’s, said in an email that the company was “saddened to confirm that a tragic accident” occurred at the plant Thursday morning. 

The employee was attempting to repair a loading dock in the shipping area at the plant when he was fatally injured, Richardson stated.

“Our thoughts are with the individual’s family, friends, and coworkers during this incredibly difficult time,” she stated. 

The company is conducting an internal review of the incident and cooperating with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, Richardson stated.

“The safety and well‑being of our team members is our highest priority, and we remain committed to maintaining a safe working environment across all our operations,” she stated.

Last year, about two dozen employees were taken to the hospital for evaluation after a 

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Kirsti Marohn

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Police said the 29-year-old man was pinned beneath equipment in the plant’s loading dock area.

A sign near the road reads "We feed the world"

Pilgrim’s worker dies at Cold Spring plant after being pinned under equipment

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