A Vernal man died after being injured by a pipe striking him in the head while working Oct. 26, according to Uintah County Sheriff’s Cpl. Brian Fletcher.

Witnesses on the scene say Kelton Lee, 55, was lifting a 21-foot piece of pipe off a truck at his workplace, Stearns Construction Company, when his legs gave out, causing him to lose his balance and drop the pipe.

When he fell the pipe struck him in the head, rendering him unconscious, Fletcher said.

By the time emergency Uintah County Sheriff Department deputies and Gold Cross Ambulance arrived on the scene, Lee was conscious.

He was able to speak to deputies and medical crews about the incident before being transported to Ashley Regional Medical Center by ambulance.

Lee was later flown to a Salt Lake City hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.

“The incident remains under investigation by the Utah office of Occupational Safety and Health Administration,” Fletcher said.

OSHA investigates industrial accidents where workers have been killed or injured and develops programs to improve worker safety guidelines.

The investigation by the Uintah County Sheriff’s Department is closed at this time.

—Mary Bernard,

Vernal Express