Illinois Dad of 3 Dies After Falling Into Vat of 1,500C Molten Iron, Where His Body Split in Half

An Illinois dad of 3 was killed instantly at work after tripping and falling into a vat of molten iron at 1,500 degrees Celsius. Steven Dierkes, 39, was left with half his body lying on the factory floor at the Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry in Illinois last Thursday, June 2.

Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood told the Peoria Journal Star that foul play was not suspected in Dierkes' death. The dad of 3 died after tripping next to the vat of 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit (1,427 degrees Celsius) iron, wherein he was taking a sample. Harwood said the 39-year-old, who lived on West McClure Avenue, was working near a crucible when he accidentally fell in and died instantly.

Caterpillar spokeswoman Lisa Miller issued a statement about the tragic accident, saying, "We are deeply saddened by the death of an employee who was involved in a serious incident at our Mapleton, Illinois, facility on June 2." Miller added that their thoughts are with this employee's family, friends, and colleagues and that the safety of their employees, contractors and visitors is their top priority.

Dierkes died instantly after the horror plunge

According to Peoria County Sheriff's Office Captain Chris Watkins, deputies were called to the scene at around 10 a.m. on Thursday to respond to an "occupational accident." The Sheriff's Office, Peoria County Coroner's Office, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are still investigating the unfortunate tragedy.

An anonymous veteran Caterpillar worker spoke to the World Socialist Web Site about the incident, saying that Dierkes was "taking a sample of iron for the met lab and apparently just tripped."

They said he died instantly, but not all of him went in. Part of the victim's body remained on the deck for the coroner to retrieve. The worker said it must have been ghastly for those who witnessed it and to wait for the coroner with half of their co-worker lying on the floor.

Jermaine Pigee mourned his friend's death in a social media post, writing, "We naturally grew up together. We were into professional wrestling, so every Friday night, we'd get together with friends, and we'd try wrestling moves on each other. Then, we'd play video games all night. RIP, buddy."

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Dierkes leaves behind a partner and three daughters

They claimed that the incident occurred in the main foundry melting area, adding that all employees had been sent home by 10:20 a.m. An obituary for Dierkes remembers the Illinois dad as a hard-working teddy bear of a man with calloused hands and a tender heart who would have done anything for anyone.

According to the Mirror, he leaves behind his partner Jessica Sutter and their three daughters. His tragic death comes just six months after another Caterpillar worker, 50-year-old Scott M Adam, died at the same factory. Just like Dierkes, Adams fell to his death. According to an initial investigation by OSHA, the East Peoria native was believed to have stepped off a ladder before falling 20 feet to his death through a hole in the floor.

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