South Lyon man dies after fall into acid vat at Michigan Seamless Tube

A 54-year-old South Lyon man died Saturday after falling into a chemical vat at Michigan Seamless Tube.

Daniel Hill was found by a co-worker at about 12:20 p.m., fully submerged in sulfuric acid, said South Lyon Fire Chief Robert Vogel.

It was unclear how long Hill was in the vat, in which chemicals were heated to temperatures of 160 degrees.

South Lyon Police Chief Chris Sovik said employees grabbed the man from the vat and took him to a decontamination area as Huron Valley Ambulance medics and South Lyon Fire and Police responded.

Hill was rushed to the University of Michigan Hospital, where he died from his injuries on Saturday night.

"This really is a tragedy and affects all of us," Sovik said. "We tried to reach out to his family and we offer our condolences."

Vogel said the vi had been an employee of Michigan Seamless Tube, located at 400 McMunn St. in South Lyon, for about two years and had recently transferred to a new position.

Preliminary details from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration states the man was a technician receiving training and working adjacent to a large chemical tank when he fell in. He was removed from the tank with the assistance of a co-worker.

According to Michigan Seamless Tube's website, the company creates boiler tubes, mechanical tubes and pipes.

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Michigan Seamless Tube officials released a written statement about the accident, in which they said, "A valued Michigan Seamless Tube employee was involved in a serious industrial accident on Saturday afternoon."

The statement went on to note the employee was taken to U-M Hospital, where he died and it concluded, "The Company is conducting a comprehensive investigation of the accident and is cooperating with the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration."

Sovik said he was not aware of any previous chemical vat accidents at the business, but said several years ago, a machine accident there resulted in the death of an employee.

This accident is not a criminal investigation, he said.

Pardeep Toor, public information officer for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, said the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation "may take several weeks or months to complete."

According to his obituary, Daniel Hill, affectionately known as "Moose," was a loving husband, father and grandfather and "a very dedicated, hard worker." The Army veteran enjoyed hunting and fishing and was passionate about animals, including his three dogs.

Family and friends will gather from 2-8 p.m., Feb. 15 at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Hamburg Chapel. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Feb. 16.

Contact Susan Bromley at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @SusanBromley10.