Man dies after barge accident in Cape Girardeau

A Chaffee, Mo., man died shortly after emergency personnel responded to a report of a rescue needed at 12:19 p.m. Saturday at Buzzi Unicem, 2524 S. Sprigg St. in Cape Girardeau.

On arrival, Cape Girardeau fire, police and emergency medical workers discovered that a worker had fallen into an empty hopper barge, according to Sgt. Rick Schmidt of the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Thomas Eftink, 67, was taken by ambulance to Saint Francis Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Cape Girardeau County chief deputy coroner Jerry Goin said an autopsy on Eftink will be held Monday.