BAKERHILL, Ala. – Authorities with Barbour County, Alabama, said a man was killed while cleaning equipment at a poultry plant owned by Tyson Foods Inc.

Barbour County Coroner Chip Chapman identified the worker as Carlos Lynn, 39, of Eufala, Alabama. Lynn worked for Kieler, Wisconsin-based Packers Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI) which provides contract food safety and sanitation services to the food processing industry. Chapman confirmed the cause of death as decapitation. Lynn was pronounced dead at 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday.

“We are devastated by the loss of our friend and team member, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time,” said Gina Swenson, senior director of marketing at PSSI. “We take an accident like this very seriously and we are working with local authorities to understand how it could have happened, given the strict safety protocols we have in place. As this inquiry is ongoing and out of utmost respect for the privacy of our team member’s family, it is not appropriate for us to comment further at this time.”

Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson Foods acquired the plant as part of its purchase of Keystone Foods from Marfrig Global Foods in August of 2018.

“We’re investigating an accident at our Eufaula, Alabama, facility that involved a worker employed by an outside contractor and will provide more information when we can,” the company said. “We’re grateful for the swift response and assistance of local emergency personnel.”