1 killed by falling granite slab at Raleigh workplace

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Police have confirmed that one person is dead following an incident at a Raleigh business.

On Friday, around 12:20 p.m., officers were called to NCO Custom Marble & Granite, located in the 8000 block of Gulf Court, after reports of an injured person. The building's owner told ABC11 the person killed was a 21-year-old man.

When officers arrived, they found that one employee had been killed after a slab of granite fell on top of him.

Officials tell ABC11 that the employee is the owner's nephew; however, they have not released his name.

A second person was injured in the incident; police say he/she is in the hospital in stable, non-life-threatening condition.

The company has released this statement:

"We have suffered an accident at our facility today at approximately 12:30 p.m. There has been one fatality and another individual injured. The accident has been reported to OSHA. We are a small family owned business and trying to deal with this tragedy. We ask for your patience, prayers and that you give us the space and time to further investigate. We will release more information as it becomes available. Thank you very much for your patience and understanding"

According to OSHA records, similar incidents have occurred to other like business in Raleigh before; the most recent being in July of 2015.

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According to the NC Secretary of State's office, NCO has been operating since 2007; a search through state and federal records found no citations or complaints against the company.

City officials said since the incident occurred at a work place, the NC Department of Labor will hold an investigation.

A one-foot slab of granite cut an inch deep weighs on average about 18 pounds; a slab, measured at 65-70 feet could weigh at least 1,100 pounds