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City maintenance worker dies after landfill accident

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A city of Springfield maintenance worker died yesterday after a landfill accident.

John Choate, 53, a city employee since 2008, died after being airlifted to Mercy Hospital Springfield, according to a news release.

“We are all saddened by the loss of one of our own,” City Manager Greg Burris said in the release. “Please keep the Choate family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Choate’s cause of death was not disclosed. An autopsy is being performed today by the Greene County medical examiner’s office.

“We are waiting on the police to finish their report before we release those details,” city spokeswoman Cora Scott said this morning, noting the cause of death likely would come out early this afternoon.

According to the release, the Ebeneezer and Springfield fire departments responded around 11 a.m. yesterday with a heavy rescue unit, engine company and battalion chief.

The city’s Department of Environmental Services, which oversees the landfill north of Springfield, is completing an interval review of the accident, and crisis counselors have been made available to employees.

Following the accident, the landfill closed and reopened today at 10 a.m.

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