Local Woman Killed by Falling Anvil
Posted on Thu 13 April 2023 in News
July 4, 2021 || Acme Anvil Co., Main St, Smalltown, USA
A local woman was killed today when an anvil fell on her at the Acme Anvil Co. factory. The anvil fell from the second floor and struck Mary Smith, 45, on the head.
"It was a terrible accident," said Acme Anvil Manager Phil McCrory. "That anvil must weigh over 200 pounds. It crushed her skull instantly."
No one witnessed the anvil fall. However, police suspect it may have come loose from a rusty shelf. "The shelf shows signs of deteriorating bolts and instability," said Detective Lieutenant Jack Stevens. "It's possible a slight tremor or vibration caused the anvils to tumble off."
Mary Smith is survived by her husband Bill, two children, and three grandchildren. "Mary was the nicest lady you ever met," said a neighbor. "This is an awful tragedy. My heart breaks for her poor family."
The OSHA investigation is ongoing but officials expect numerous safety code violations will be found at the factory. "How many more employees have to die before this company prioritizes safety?" asked the head of the local machinists union. He called for the immediate shut down and reorganization of Acme Anvil Co.
The company has been fined several times in past years for lax safety standards leading to injuries but no prior fatalities. CEO Archer McCoy pledged to fully cooperate with investigators, make all needed improvements, and prevent any further loss of life. However, some question whether the damage to the company's reputation and legal liability in this case might force its permanent closure.
Acme Anvil Co. has been a fixture of Smalltown, USA for over 100 years. But after the crushing death of Mary Smith, that heritage may come at too dear a price. The anvil that took her life now seen as a grim metaphor for the costs of profit and penny-pinching pragmatism over safety, decency, and human life itself. Mary's death a symbol of the final straw that breaks the community's back, as anvil crushes hopes under its immense and unyielding weight.