PASCAGOULA, MS (WLOX) -
Eyewitness accounts from the VT Halter Marine shipyard in Jackson County paint a very bleak picture. One man told WLOX News Monday's death of 66-year-old Lee Thibodeaux was a "violent accident that many of his co-workers witnessed and will be dealing with for a long time."
Just one day after Thibodeaux's death, his Pascagoula family remains in mourning. Loved ones are searching for answers, hoping somebody can explain how Thibodeaux died late Monday morning at the Jackson County shipyard.
VT Halter CEO Bill Skinner said the accident was related to work, though Thibodeaux was not working on a vessel at the time.
Family members believe there's a lot more to the story. "Just keep us in your prayers," said Beverly Williams, the daughter of Mr. Thibodeaux.
Williams and her siblings want VT Halter to re-examine its safety policies so this tragedy won't happen to another worker. Skinner told WLOX News that's already being done.
Skinner said it was standard practice after a serious accident to retrain all employees on proper safety procedures. "This is a reinforcement of our safety commitment and to our employees. We are very concerned for their safety," Skinner said. The safety meetings include all departments.
Skinner also said the company is offering assistance to workers as they grieve the loss of a coworker as well as offering assistance to Thibodeaux's family. "The family is our main concern," Skinner said.
WLOX News reporter Patrice Clark spoke with Thibodeaux family members. You'll hear their anguish and their hopes on WLOX News at 6:00.
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