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‘Stone merchandise' falls on customer at Charlotte business, killing him

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are investigating after a customer was killed in an accident at a business park in southwest Charlotte Friday afternoon.

It happened just before 3:30 p.m. along Westinghouse Boulevard at Stone Basyx.

From Chopper 9 SkyZoom, we could see police, Charlotte Fire and MEDIC on scene.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said a man died when "stone merchandise" fell on him. According to the company's website, it sells slabs of stone made out of marble, quartz and granite.

Authorities said Charlotte firefighters attempted to save his life, but he died from his injuries.

"This person went in for something and never came back out, so that's the sad thing about it," one person told Channel 9. "You don't know where or when you're going to take your last breath. That family will never be the same again."

Homicide detectives are investigating, but officials said this is routine even if the death is accidental.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also responded to the business and will be conducting a separate investigation.

Channel 9 has learned this is not the first time OSHA has looked into Stone Basyx for "serious" violations.

Online records from OSHA show in 2017, Stone Basyx was initially fined $44,000, but it is unclear what the violation was for.

Last year, the business was fined another $3,000 for the way it was handling materials.

The store has four locations and the one in Charlotte has 14 employees.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information. 

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