OSHA still investigating fatal fall at Aveka plant that claimed the life of Waukon man

A fall that occurred in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 28 from the rooftop of the Aveka Nutra Processing plant in Waukon has claimed the life of a 55-year-old Waukon man. According to a report issued by the Waukon Police Department, Kevin Kruse of Waukon, a long-time employee of the processing facility, had climbed a ladder to the building rooftop during an overnight shift for a reason yet to be disclosed pending completion of a full investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The Police Department report further indicates that Kruse, who was alone at the time of the incident, somehow fell from the rooftop a distance of approximately 20 feet into an area between two portions of the building that was inaccessible except via the building rooftop. After the mishap was discovered and called in to the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center, at approximately 1:48 a.m., the police report says the Waukon Fire Department was called upon to assist in the rescue effort, having to climb atop the roof in one area and lower a rescue basket down to where Kruse had fallen. Kruse was then raised back up to the roof in the basket, carried across the roof and lowered to the ground again, where the Veterans Memorial Hospital ambulance awaited to transport him. He was transported to Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI, where he later died from injuries sustained in the fall.

Marie Jorissen, President of Aveka Group out of its Woodbury, MN headquarters, said that Kruse was a "very valued employee" who had been with the Aveka facility in Waukon since it began its operation in 2011. "Our hearts certainly go out to Kevin's family and those who knew him. This is a big loss for them and for our Aveka family as well; he will be sorely missed," she said.

Jorissen further explained that Aveka is cooperating fully with the ongoing OSHA investigation and that she could not fully comment on the unfortunate incident while the current investigation is underway. "This is truly a tragic incident and most unfortunate in light of the strong safety protocol we have in place throughout all our facilities," Jorissen said. "We take safety very seriously at Aveka, we have a number of safety programs in place. Right now the question that we are trying to have answered is 'why did this happen?'."
A full obituary for Kevin Kruse can be found on Page 3A in this week's edition of The Standard.