CAPE CORAL, Fla. — An employee at a Florida automotive service shop died when a tire exploded at the shop June 30. An investigation is underway by both local police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to determine the cause.
Rick Hanson was killed while working on a vehicle at a Firestone Complete Auto Care location in Cape Coral. Prior to the explosion, a fellow employee noticed the tire was being over-inflated and cautioned Hanson about the danger, according to the initial report from the Cape Coral Police Department.
No other injuries were reported. Other details, like the condition of tire Hanson was working on, is unknown at this time, police said.
OSHA confirmed it has also opened an investigation into the incident.
"We are saddened to report that a Firestone Complete Auto Care store employee was killed in an accident on June 23," Firestone parent company Bridgestone said in a statement.
"Our deepest, most heartfelt sympathies are with the family, friends and colleagues of our teammate," Caroline Matis, communications manager for Bridgestone Retail Operations, said. "We are working to determine the cause of the accident and are fully cooperating with local authorities as they conduct their investigation."