One killed, one injured in Tracy City water plant accident

An accident during a delivery Friday at the public water utility in Tracy City, Tennessee, claimed the life of a Fayetteville, Tennessee, truck driver and injured a city employee.

The city utility employee who was injured has not been identified, but the man killed was identified as Thomas Dickey "Tommy" Ables, 52, of Fayetteville, the same town where the company Ables worked for, American Development Corporation, is located. Company spokesman Chuck Page declined to discuss details of the accident while it is being investigated by local and state officials, including the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and co-worker, Tommy Ables," Page said in an emailed statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Margie, his family and friends during this difficult time."

Page said Ables had been "a dedicated employee" at the Fayetteville company since 2011.

"We are investigating this tragic incident with the state and local authorities. At this early stage of the investigation, we have no further details," Page said. "Our focus is to support Margie, as well as preparing our employees as they face the reality of returning to work without their friend and co-worker."

Tracy City Mayor Nadene Moore was not in her office Tuesday and did not immediately return messages requesting comment, but she issued a statement Friday to the Grundy County Herald newspaper in Altamont saying the accident "occurred during the delivery of normal chemicals used for processing water. Unfortunately, the accident resulted in injuries to an employee at the plant and also resulted in the loss of life for the individual delivering the products."

"The town expresses great sympathy for those affected by this tragedy," she told the Herald. City officials said the utility employee was "doing fine," and that the water plant shut down briefly Friday but soon resumed normal operations with no impact on water quality.

Chris Cannon, spokesman for the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said Tuesday that state officials are investigating the accident but could not release any details or preliminary information while the case is open. The file will be available once the case is closed, Cannon said.

American Development Corporation has been the subject of one earlier TOSHA investigation, Cannon said. A violation was issued to the company Oct. 31, 2018, related to general requirements under personal protective equipment, records show. The violation resulted in a $750 penalty levied against the company.

Ables was a talented cook who loved hunting and fishing, and will be "remembered for his big smile and his generous heart," according to his obituary at Lynchburg Funeral Home in Moore County.

Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.

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