John Derrick Dover, Gaffney, South Carolina man killed on first day of job as sanitation worker for Cherokee County while riding back of garbage truck as his dad drove. Cause of tragic fall continues amid ongoing investigation.
A 32-year-old South Carolina man died after falling from a garbage truck on his first day on the job. The tragedy comes as the victim’s father drove the sanitation vehicle.
John Derrick Dover, of Gaffney, S.C., died on Monday, Aug. 17, after falling from the back of the truck, which his father was driving, according to the Cherokee County Coroner’s Office.
Jumping on and off ‘easily’
John 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,’ Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler said in a released statement.
The coroner said the truck was turning onto Hayes Road when Dover lost his footing and fell from the vehicle onto the pavement below.
Dover was then transported 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,’ Fowler said. ‘What’s even worse, the truck was being driven by his father. Our hearts and prayers are with this family.’
For his very first shift, John had been placed on the rear platform of a garbage truck being driven by his father. The platform is a small area on the rear of the truck that allows workers to ‘jump off and on easily,’ while collecting garbage bins.
EMS was on the scene within minutes of the accident and began rendering aid.
Additional details about the sanitation worker’s cause of fall and cause of death is pending an autopsy according to the coroner’s report, People Mag reported.
Worker safety and training
Cherokee County officials also confirmed Dover’s death in a statement shared to Facebook on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
‘Cherokee County is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our employees, who passed away yesterday afternoon,’ they wrote. ‘This is a heartbreaking loss for our community, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and coworkers during this incredibly difficult time.’
‘John Dover was a new employee in the Cherokee County Solid Waste Department,’ officials said. “Facts related to this incident are in the process of being gathered and Cherokee County wants to ensure that any information it provides related to this terrible tragedy is accurate out of respect for the County’s citizens and John’s family and loved ones.”
‘The County will provide updates as soon as confirmed information becomes available,’ they added. ‘We extend our heartfelt condolences to all who knew John and to those mourning his passing.’
Not immediately clear is what training was involved along with worker safety measures installed.
Cherokee County Solid Waste Collection has to date declined to comment on the trash collector’s death.
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