Ephrata worker injured in machinery accident

Worker transported by MedStar

EPHRATA - The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is investigating a worker accident reported at a hay cubing operation near Ephrata.

A man was reportedly injured at Agrex after a hydraulic cylinder came apart from a hydraulic press about 12:39 p.m. July 17 in the compression area of the business, Grant County Undersheriff John Turley said on Tuesday.

The man's name wasn't released by L&I or Agrex, so his current condition is unknown.

He reportedly received a severe head injury, including damage to an eye, Turley said. The male was treated by an ambulance from Grant County Fire District No. 5 and transported by MedStar to a Wenatchee hospital.

Elaine Fischer, a spokesperson with the L&I, declined to release the worker's name. She did confirm the agency received a phone call regarding a serious injury at Agrex.

She said L&I's accident investigation may be finished in a couple of months.

No one was available to comment or to provide further information Tuesday afternoon at Agrex's corporate office in Kansas City. Agrex's Ephrata office declined to comment about the accident.