PAYETTE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho State Police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the death of a fork lift driver at a food processing plant in Payette.
The Payette County coroner tells KTVB-TV that 59-year-old Thomas Walker of Payette died Wednesday afternoon when he was hit by a semi tractor-trailer that was backing up in a loading dock area at the Seneca plant.
Walker had worked at the plant for 40 years and planned to retire in November. He also worked part-time at a local pub, and served in the National Guard for 22 years.
Walker's son, Aaron Walker, tells KTVB that the driver of the semi was a longtime friend of his father's who is "devastated."