Employee dies after accident at Cooper's Texarkana plant

Texarkana, Arkansas -- A longtime employee died following an industrial accident on Tuesday (16 Jan.) at Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s Texarkana plant, the tyre maker said.

A full investigation is ongoing into the cause of the accident, which Cooper did not describe. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also has been notified, Cooper added.

The tyre maker is not releasing the employee's name for privacy concerns.

"I can say that the Cooper management team has been with the family, and we are doing everything we can to provide for their immediate needs," said Plant Manager John Bodart in a statement. "On behalf of Cooper, I'd like to express our condolences and deepest sympathies to our colleague's family, his friends and his co-workers."

Cooper said this is the first fatal accident in the plant's 42-year history.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)