Funeral services for Kenneth Ray, Jr., a Creston police officer who died from suspected nitrogen exposure, have been set for Saturday, according to Springfield police.
Springfield police tweeted services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Maranatha Bible Church, located at 1424 Killian Rd., in Akron. Calling hours will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Perry Township Fire Chief Mark Martin said firefighters were were called out to the Faircrest Steel Plant at 4511 Faircrest St. SW in Canton for a non-responsive person Sunday afternoon. Ray, Jr., a fire technician, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Creston police announced late Sunday that Ray Jr. was one of their own. Officials said he was a full-time safety officer at the plant as well as an EMT and firefighter in Uniontown.
OSHA opened an investigation into the worker's death, the agency announced Monday.
"This is unacceptable behavior and the company needs to be held accountable for it," OSHA Spokesman Scott Allen said in an interview with newsnet5.com.
According to OSHA, readings by the company and fire department detected oxygen levels in the area where the employee was found were less than 4 percent. Oxygen levels below 20 percent can lead to suffocation.
It is with heavy hearts that we report to you that Officer Kenny Ray Jr. of the Creston Police Department passed away...
Posted by Ohio Going Blue on Monday, March 21, 2016
