OHSA investigates death at Butterball plant

MOUNT OLIVE — A tragic accident at the Butterball plant in Mount Olive led to the death of a contractor on Thursday, Feb. 22. 

The contractor, whose name has not been released, died from injuries sustained during the accident. This incident is under investigation by the Department of Labor.

According to Mindy Wharton, Butterball public relations manager, the person was an external contractor’s employee working on a project at the Butterball facility in Mount Olive. The person died from injuries sustained during the incident.

“We are deeply saddened, and we extend our sincere condolences to their family and friends,” wrote Wharton in an email statement sent to the Duplin Journal. “We will continue to coordinate closely with the relevant authorities as the investigation remains ongoing.”

According to OSHA records, there were two previous fatalities at the Mount Olive plant, one in 2017 and one in 2021, both involving employees who died of electrocution. The cause of the Feb. 22 fatality is unknown, as no further details have been released as of press time.