SARATOGA SPRINGS — A man was killed Tuesday in a gruesome accident during a road repair project.
Police said Nicholaus Blatnick, 31, was killed instantly when he was caught in a heavy piece of machinery about 1:30 p.m. while working near 800 West and 1200 North. Nearby workers shut off the machine and called police immediately, but Blatnick was declared dead at the scene.
Police have not determined how Blatnick, an employee of Diamond S Co., became caught in a piece of machinery called an "asphalt zipper" while excavating the roadway. Blatnick was part of a roadwork team brought in by Questar Gas to repair asphalt on top of a new gas line.
Saratoga Springs Police Cpl. Aaron Rosen said investigators from Questar and the Occupational Safety and Health Association were on scene following the accident Tuesday, while a crisis intervention team offered counseling for Blatnick's co-workers.
Twitter: @McKenzieRomero