Lancaster man killed in Richburg plant accident

RICHBURG, S.C. (AP) — A Lancaster man has died in an accident at a Richburg alloy plant.

The Chester County coroner’s office says 33-year-old Shawn Merritt was pronounced dead at the ATI Allvac plant just after 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Coroner Terry Tinker said Merritt died of asphyxiation.

Tinker said Merritt was in an area of the plant that filled with super-cooled liquid nitrogen where temperatures can fall to 200 degrees below zero.

ATI Allvac hasn’t released any details of the accident, which is under investigation.

The plant has been shut down. ATI Allvac mill produces titanium, nickel and specialty alloy products for the aerospace and medical industries..