Man dies in Saratoga Springs industrial accident

A 31-year-old man died Tuesday afternoon in an industrial accident in Saratoga Springs.

The accident occurred near 800 W. 1200 North, where Diamond S Co., a subcontractor, was working on a Questar Gas project. About 1:30 p.m., employee Nickolaus Blatnick was pulled into an asphalt zipper that was being used to excavate a portion of the roadway.

Workers on scene tried to shut off the machinery and immediately called 911. But Blatnick, a Salt Lake County resident, had died instantly.

"It is too early to determine exactly how Mr. Blatnick became involved with the equipment," the Saratoga Springs police wrote in a news release. Investigators were still at the scene by 10 p.m. examining how the accident occurred.

In addition to the police, investigators from Diamond S Co., Questar, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the state medical examiner's office responded to the scene.

Blatnick is survived by his mother, and other immediate and extended family, according to the police. While the family has express gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all who have reached out to them during this difficult time, "they have asked to have their privacy respected," the news release adds.

mmcfall@sltrib.com