Redmond man killed in Crook Co. mill accident

A 27-year-old Redmond man was killed when a 1,500-pound metal press, supported by a forklift, fell on him Wednesday at the Fontana Wood Products mill northwest of Prineville, Crook County sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies and Crook County Fire and Rescue medics were called to the mill at 3939 NW Lamonta Road around 11:15 a.m., said sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Seaney, who identified the victim as Joshua Lee Ketchem.

An investigation found that Ketchem had been working underneath a large metal press, supported by a forklift, that weighed about 1,500 pounds, Seaney said.

Ketchem was working alone at the time the press fell on him, pinning him to the ground, the deputy said.

Ketchem was found a short time later by other employees, and the press was lifted off the man around the time medics arrived on scene, according to Seaney.

The medics took Ketchem to an ambulance but were unable to revive him, Seaney said, adding that the investigation was continuing and no foul play was suspected.

Fontana Wood Products, which moved from Redmond to Prineville in 2008, manufactures trusses for manufactured and modular homes.