A worker for the city of Buford died Tuesday when a tire he was working on exploded, striking him in the head.
Dave Key, 48, of Buford was working at the Buford Public Works Department, located on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, when the incident happened around 9:00 a.m., according to Eddie Reeves, senior supervising investigator with the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner's Office.
Witnesses who spoke with officers said that Key was bent over the tire, adding air to it when it exploded; they reported "a loud boom" and saw Key fly into the air, according to the police report.
"(Key) was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center, Lawrenceville, where he died of his injuries," said Reeves in a phone interview.
The explosion apparently caused "massive head trauma," according to Reeves, "and potential skull fractures."
The medical examiner's office will conduct an investigation to determine the exact extent of Key's injuries and cause of death.
"Mr. Key was a beloved and dedicated employee and served the citizens of Buford for over seventeen years," said Brian Kerlin, Buford city manager, in an email.
Key was a mechanic at the shop.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/7/419301/buford-city-worker-killed-when-tire-explodes