Worker loses legs in industrial accident

An employee of the Clare Rose beer distribution company lost both of his legs during an industrial accident Tuesday afternoon at the company's new facility in Shirley, officials said.

Julio Granados, 56, of Patchogue, was in critical condition and undergoing surgery at Stony Brook University Medical Center Tuesday evening, a hospital spokesman said.

Granados was apparently trying to clear a blockage in a large compacting and baling machine about 1:30 p.m., when he was trapped and badly injured, police said.

When the first responding officers arrived at the facility, located at 100 Rose Executive Blvd., they were able to free the worker from the mechanism, police said.

Det. Sgt. John Best said the actions of those first officers were critical. "They immediately made rescue efforts to limit the amount of blood loss, because he was bleeding badly," Best said. "It's my understanding they saved his life by stopping that blood loss."

Additional emergency responders helped to stabilize Granados, police said, and he was transported by police helicopter to Stony Brook University Medical Center.

It was not immediately clear whether he lost his legs at the accident site or whether one or both were later amputated.

Clare Rose, one of the largest beer distribution companies in the country for decades, began operation at the newly built Shirley facility less than two years ago. Granada has been a Clare Rose employee for about 20 years, police said.

Besides an investigation by Seventh Squad detectives, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified, police said, and are expected to conduct their own probe.

Clare Rose officials could not be reached Tuesday night for comment.