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Lumberyard Machinery Crushes Worker

PAUL LAMISON / News Channel 8

Hillsborough County deputies responded to Robbins Manufacturing Co. Inc. Monday morning.

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By VALERIE KALFRIN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 30, 2007

TAMPA - The last time Pastor Joshua Wesley saw Raleigh Wilson was Sunday, when they laughed with the church music group over a 'hiccup' in a song.

Wilson, 48, of Zephyrhills, played the drums at Victorious Life Church in Wesley Chapel, said Wesley, who is in charge of the church's music ministry. Wilson also served as the church's maintenance man until about a year and a half ago, when he accepted a position at a Tampa lumberyard to spend more time with his family, Wesley said.

On Monday, Wesley reeled when he heard Wilson had died at the lumberyard after being crushed by machinery. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating, officials said.

'Man, he's just my right-hand guy,' Wesley said. 'He's like a brother to me.'

Rescuers responded to Robbins Manufacturing Co., 13001 N. Nebraska Ave., about 7:51 a.m. Monday after a 911 call, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue spokesman Ray Yeakley said.

They discovered Wilson had been struck by a board, which knocked him into a belt that pulled him into another machine, Yeakley and the sheriff's office said.

'It was over very quick. It's just a tragedy,' said Jay Robbins, the company's corporate secretary.

A grief counselor was at the site Monday, Robbins said. 'Some of the people who witnessed it are taking it pretty hard,' he said.

Robbins, who has been with the company more than 30 years, said he could recall no other incidents of similar magnitude.

The company has been in Tampa since 1938 and mostly handles pressure-treated material, Robbins said.

OSHA records show two violations at the company in 2002 for 'mechanical power-transmission apparatus.' The company was fined $1,300 for each offense, records show.

Attempts to reach Wilson's family were unsuccessful Monday. Wesley said his survivors include his wife and five children, three of whom are older than 18.

Wilson has been involved with the church for at least 10 years, Wesley said. He has played drums with the church music group for about six years, he said.

'Everyone that knew him loved him,' Wesley said. 'If you needed to move, he'd be hands to move you. ... If it was a shirt, he'd give it up.'

Funeral arrangements had not been finalized Monday. Wesley said he would remember Wilson's humor to carry him through his loss.

'He had a laugh that you'd hear a mile away,' Wesley said. 'I'm sure God is telling him to be quiet.'

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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