GATLINBURG, Tenn. — The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration sent an investigator to the Gatlinburg Convention Center for a workplace fatality.
TOSHA said the incident happened on Tuesday, Dec. 26. They said the investigator will determine the circumstances that led to the workplace fatality. According to TOSHA, the investigation can take between eight and ten weeks to complete.
"During the investigative process, the TOSHA investigator typically surveys the location of the incident, reviews company records, and procedures, and conducts interviews with management and employees," TOSHA said.
The Gatlinburg Police Department identified the victim as Jeffrey Coker, 66, from Gray, TN on Thursday.
GPD said emergency crews were sent to the convention center at around 11:32 a.m. on Dec. 26 after receiving a report about someone falling from the ceiling to the floor in the Great Hall area.
The police department's investigative division also responded. GPD said witnesses told them the person was employed by The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Union No. 197 and was installing stage elements, including lighting, for an upcoming event.
GPD said the worker fell around 32 ft. to the floor. It also said Newsong Ministries Inc., doing business as Xtreme Conferences, contracted the union to install lighting and staging elements at the convention center.
Xtreme Conferences has its "Xtreme Winter 2023" event planned to be held at the conference center from Dec. 27 through Dec. 29. It also plans to host Colton Dixon at the convention center on Friday, a Christian music singer and songwriter.