New Bedford Dock Worker Injured in Crushing Incident

NEW BEDFORD — A New Bedford longshoreman has been injured after he was crushed between two pallets while unloading a ship in an incident on Monday morning, according to New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger.

Kruger said the dock worker sustained a lower leg injury when he was pinned between the pallets earlier Monday morning, with emergency crews called to the scene at State Pier at 8:36 a.m.

Scanner reports indicate the man was injured on the cargo ship Orange Strait, which is currently docked at the pier.

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The pallets were loaded with 55 gallon drums of liquid, Kruger said. Another worker said the liquid was apple juice concentrate from China, although the cargo could not be confirmed.

According to Kruger, the man was freed from the pallets before emergency crews arrived.

He was given emergency medical care for unspecified injuries and lifted out of the ship's hold in a Stokes basket on a freight lift before being taken to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment, the chief said.

Kruger noted that the man was conscious.

Vesselfinder.com notes that the refrigerated cargo vessel Orange Strait arrived in New Bedford on Sept. 6 from Tampa, Florida.

The 115-meter ship was built in 2019 and sails under the Curacao flag.