Californian woman dies as clothing becomes caught in food processing machine

Woman dies after clothing gets caught in machine

A woman died when her clothing became caught in machinery used to process raisins in California.

Yaneth Lopez Valladares, 33, was killed while working at the Del Rey Packing Company around 11am on January 25, the Fresno County sheriff’s office said.

The preliminary investigation shows she “got a piece of loose clothing caught in a machine used to process raisins” and that the machine caused severe injuries.

Two other workers were nearby and immediately powered down the machine and called emergency services.

It was Valladares’ second year working there.

The California Division of Occupational Health and Safety is investigating the death.

“This is obviously a very traumatic situation - for the owner, for the employees to see one of their colleagues lose their life so suddenly, in a job that they do on a regular basis and maybe take for granted,” Fresno County Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said.