Tar Heel, NC — An employee was found unresponsive inside the Smithfield Foods meat processing facility in Tar Heel on Saturday, January 10, 2026, according to reports. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, where the individual was later pronounced deceased.
Incident Under Review
Company officials notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the incident is currently under review. At this time, no official cause of death has been released publicly, and authorities have not provided additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding the employee’s passing.
Facility Location and Background
The Smithfield Foods facility is located in Bladen County along Highway 87, approximately 30 minutes south of Fayetteville. The plant is one of the largest meat processing facilities in the region and employs a significant workforce from surrounding counties.
Reports also indicate this is the second worker death reported at the Tar Heel facility within the past seven months. A previous incident in June 2025 was described as a medical emergency. It has not been confirmed whether the two incidents are related.
The community is extending prayers and condolences to the employee’s family, loved ones, and coworkers during this difficult time.
Updates will be shared as more verified information becomes available.
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