A 42-year-old man, identified by community members as “Patrick,” died following an accident at a food factory north of Altona, Manitoba, on January 15, 2026. This tragedy has sparked local discussions about safety at the growing industrial park where the man worked.
The incident happened at the Rhineland Industrial Park shortly before noon. According to the RCMP, the worker was pulled into machinery. Altona/Rhineland Emergency Services (ARES) said he became trapped between two conveyor belts.
Co-workers acted quickly to free the man before Altona/Rhineland Emergency Services arrived on scene. He was treated by emergency crews and transported to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, where RCMP say he later died. Local reports state STARS Air Ambulance was called and did arrive but could not transport the patient because of poor weather; those reports say the patient was ultimately taken to Winnipeg by ground ambulance.
This is the second fatal workplace accident in the province in less than a week, following another death at a construction site in Hamiota reported by CBC News. Many community members have shared condolences online as they mourn the loss of a neighbour.
Manitoba Workplace Health and Safety is investigating the accident. The investigation will examine the machinery involved and whether adequate safeguards and safety procedures were in place.
