Ironworker killed at southern Illinois construction site

CENTRALIA, Ill. (AP) - An ironworker was killed while working on a construction site at Centralia Junior High School in southern Illinois.

Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon said Friday that 32-year-old Matthew Smith of Tilden appeared to have been electrocuted. His death would have been instant.

Cannon said Smith had been using a welder operated by a gas generator. Smith was working with a supervisor at the time of the incident. However, that supervisor left for a few minutes and found a collapsed Smith when he returned.

John Schmitt of Iron Workers Union Local 392 says Smith, who had seven years of welding experience, was working with Rockbranch Iron Works on the project.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed on Friday the agency has opened an investigation into Smith's death.

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Information from: Belleville News-Democrat, http://www.bnd.com