Man in bucket attached to van killed while taking down Christmas decorations

CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — A Great Falls man taking down Christmas decorations while riding in a bucket attached to a van was killed last Friday after the vehicle struck a tree limb in Chester County, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Troopers said the incident happened at about 2:10 p.m. on Dearborn Street in Great Falls.

According to troopers, a 1995 Chevrolet van, equipped with a boom and bucket, was heading west on Dearborn Street when the bucket crashed into a tree limb.

Gregory Tyson, a sanitation worker with Great Falls, was riding in the bucket and thrown from the vehicle after it hit the tree limb, authorities said. They said Tyson was removing Christmas decorations for the town.

“It was quite devastating,” said Rick Tyson, the victim’s brother. “I just couldn’t believe it. We couldn’t talk. It was a very short conversation.”

Troopers said Gregory Tyson died at the scene.

Gregory Tyson’s friend, Missy Hood, said he was loved by many.

“Yeah, it was really sad,” Hood said. “I mean, yes, really sad. Everybody was sad.”

People in town are hoping family members get everything they need for closure.

“You always want the truth to come out. The family is gonna want answers,” Hood said. “They deserve it.”

Investigators said the person driving the van was not hurt in the crash. The state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration told Channel 9 that it is investigating the crash.

“Investigations generally take at least eight weeks,” a spokesperson told Channel 9. SC OSHA will look for any OSHA violations that may have in any way contributed to the incident. There is no way to know what penalties, if any, an employer could face until an investigation is complete.”

The mayor said Thursday that he couldn’t comment on the details of this incident.

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