Caterpillar contractor from Michigan dies at Peoria Proving Ground facility

MORTON, Ill. (WMBD) -- An investigation is underway after a contractor from Michigan died Wednesday night inside Caterpillar's Peoria Proving Ground facility.

According to a Facebook post from the Tazewell County Coroner's Office of Charles Hanley Thursday morning, authorities contacted Hanley shortly after they were called just before 9 p.m. Wednesday regarding an accident involving a death at the facility. Hanley responded to the facility, where he later pronounced the contractor, identified as a 36-year-old man from Michigan, dead at the scene shortly after 11 p.m.

More details regarding the contractor will be released Friday following an official autopsy, Hanley said in the post.

The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, Tazewell County Coroner's Office and Occupational Safety and Health Administration are conducting an ongoing investigation.

"We are deeply saddened by the death of a contractor at our Peoria Proving Ground facility on Aug. 7 and are working with authorities as the incident is investigated. We will have counselors onsite for our facility employees, and our thoughts are with the affected family, friends and colleagues," the Caterpillar spokesperson said in the statement.