A Cherokee County worker died Monday afternoon after falling from the back of a sanitation truck during his first day on the job, the county coroner said.
Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler identified the victim as 32-year-old John Derrick Dover of Gaffney.
Dover was one of two workers riding on the rear platform of the garbage collection vehicle as roll-out carts were being emptied along the route. When the truck made a turn off Bonner Road onto Hayes Road, Dover fell onto the pavement.
Emergency personnel transported him by ambulance to Spartanburg Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:26 p.m.
The garbage collection truck was being driven by Dover’s father at the time of the accident.
Fowler issued a statement detailing the circumstances of the fatal fall.
“Dover was one of two workers riding on the rear platform of the garbage collection truck about 1:50 p.m. as roll out carts were being emptied,” Fowler said. “The truck was turning off Bonner Road onto Hayes Road when Dover fell from the truck and onto the pavement. He was transported from the scene by ambulance to Spartanburg Medical Center where he died at 3:26 p.m. This is a most tragic incident as it was Dover’s first day on the job. What’s even worse, the truck was being driven by his father. Our hearts and prayers are with this family.”
An autopsy will be performed to assist with the coroner’s investigation into Dover’s death.
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