JACKSON – Local and federal authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man at a business in Jackson on the morning of April 18.
According to the Jackson Police Department, a 911 call was received at 7:04 a.m. from a man who said he was pinned under equipment at the Clayton and Sons Garage, 1325 East Veterans Highway, Jackson.
Police said the 911 dispatcher attempted to keep the man on the phone, but eventually lost contact with him.
Police officers who rushed to the business began a search of the large garage and surrounding area. Fire and first aid personnel also responded to assist in the search.
The man was not found near the garage and the search area was expanded. Police said fire department personnel found him pinned under a piece of equipment at the edge of the property near East Veterans Highway.
Police said the individual, who was later identified as Kenneth L. Mann, 58, of Jackson, was unresponsive when he was removed from under the equipment. First responders began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him.
Mann was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, Lakewood. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
According to an obituary from the George S. Hassler Funeral Home, Jackson, Mann was born in Ridgewood and resided in Waldwick prior to settling in Jackson 28 years ago. He was employed as a mechanic with Ralph Clayton & Sons, Lakewood, for the past six years.
Police said an initial investigation determined Mann appeared to be attempting to take apart a piece of equipment that was needed elsewhere when the equipment collapsed and pinned him to the ground.
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department responded to process the scene and representatives of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor were also contacted to respond. As of April 22, the investigation was ongoing.