BETHANY, W.Va. -- The owner of a Brooke County welding shop was crushed to death in an accident on Monday.

Sam Mazella, 76, was killed while using a front end loader at Mazella Welding & Fabrication, the company he owned on state Route 67.

Officials said Mazella was operating the loader at around 2:30 p.m. when he hit a patch of loose dirt that gave way and caused the machine to topple on top of him. He died at the scene.

The sheriff's department is investigating the incident. Vincent Mazella, the victim's son, said OSHA is expected to be at the scene on Tuesday.

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-Renee Cardelli & John Paul, NEWS9