A teenager has been killed after being pulled into a wood chipper on his first day in a new job.
Mason Scott Cox, 19, was found inside machinery at a tree trimming firm after trying to kick a branch into it and being pulled in. Police believe his death was accidental and no foul play was involved.
Mr Scott, from Gastonia, North Carolina, had just started his new job with Crawford Tree Service on Saturday and was clearing a yard in King’s Mountain when he died.
His mother, Debra Sisk, told local news channel WBTV in an interview on Monday: “I just started screaming when I found out how he died,” she said. “It’s bad enough that he’s gone.”
According to WBTV, Ms Sisk said: “I loved him very much and I’m going to miss him very much,” she said.
Owner of Crawford Tree Service, John Crawford, told the channel Mr Cox had been working “side by side with two experienced employees” at the time.
“The limb must have grabbed a piece of his clothing and took him into the chipper,” he said. “I’ve been in the business for 26 years. I’ve had one other accident where a person was injured.
Mr Crawford said he was filled with grief and has not slept since the accident. “I would trade places with that child right now,” he said.
Crawford Tree Service will be closing temporarily because of the accident.
