The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is currently investigating a fatal electrocution workplace accident that took the lives of two 14-year-old girls.
According to a spokesperson, the accident occurred as the two teenage girls were working in a field removing tassels from corn. They were two of 72 contract workers who were working at a field for Monsato Corp., a St. Louis-based corporation.
The teenagers came in contact with a pivot irrigation system when they were electrocuted. Others nearby stated that they felt the shock. Two others were injured in the incident and one remains in critical condition. Six other workers were treated with non life-threatening injuries. A spokesman for the company has said that there has never been an accident like this before.
More than 1,000 people work on de-tasseling in the north-central Illinois region. 12 and 13-year-olds are allowed to work farm jobs like this with parental consent, according to the Department of Labor Youth Employment. The accident investigation may take at least six months to complete.
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the victims at this time.