Worker dies at North Carolina food processing plant

TAR HEEL, N.C. (WBTV) – A worker died at a food processing plant in eastern North Carolina, sister-station WECT reported Thursday.

The death happened at the Smithfield Foods plant on Highway 87 in the tiny town of Tar Heel.

A Smithfield spokesperson told WECT that the worker died from a medical emergency, but did not say what exactly the emergency was. Lifesaving measures, including CPR, were taken.

The spokesperson said the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Division was notified of the death, and said Smithfield will cooperate with the investigation.

“We are grateful for the members of our team who acted quickly to help a colleague in distress,” the spokesperson told WECT. “We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our co-worker.”

Officials have not yet released the name of the worker who died.

Smithfield Foods produces a variety of meat products, including bacon, ham and more.

The town of Tar Heel is in Bladen County, about 30 minutes south of Fayetteville.

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