5 workers hurt after falling at West Fraser sawmill
West Fraser Huttig Arkansas Sawmill

An investigation is underway to determine how five workers fell through a roof of West Fraser's sawmill operation in Huttig, Ark.

HUTTIG, Ark. -- Five employees sustained injuries March 17 after falling up to 25 feet through a roof at West Fraser's sawmill.

According to the El Dorado News-Times, the Huttig fire department was dispatched to a report that three people had fallen through the roof. When responders arrived on the scene, they found five injured workers. Three of the workers were taken by ambulance to the hospital and one was flown to the Medical Center of South Arkansas. At least one of the workers was being treated for multiple traumatic injuries.

The News-Times also reported that the chief of the local fire department said the roof did not collapse and that it was unclear why the workers were on the roof and what caused them to fall. 

The incident is under investigation.

West Fraser, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, purchased the Huttig mill in 2000 from Plum Creek Timber Co.

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Rich Christianson is the owner of Richson Media LLC, a Chicago-based communications firm focused on the industrial woodworking sector. Rich is the former long-time editorial director and associate publisher of Woodworking Network. During his nearly 35-year career, Rich has toured more than 250 woodworking operations throughout North America, Europe and Asia and has written extensively on woodworking technology, design and supply trends. He has also directed and promoted dozens of woodworking trade shows, conferences and seminars including the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo and the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo, Canada’s largest woodworking show.