Longshoreman Killed During Cargo Ops at New Jersey Port

An industrial accident led to the death of a longshoreman at the Port of Paulsboro, New Jersey on Sunday morning. 

According to the New Jersey State Troopers, longshoreman Basim Gilliard, 26, was killed when two steel planks fell off a forklift and struck him. He was working to unload cargo from the bulker Virtuous Striker at the time of the accident. 

"Our sincerest prayers and condolences go out to the Family of 2010 graduate Basim Gilliard who tragically died from a work related accident today," wrote the Pennsauken High School Football program in a social media post. "Basim brought energy and love to our program like none other. He will be missed."

The details of the accident have not been released, and OSHA is investigating the cause. As of Thursday afternoon, the Virtuous Striker remained at the pier.

The Paulsboro Marine Terminal is a newly built breakbulk wharf located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. Construction began at the site in 2014, and it received its first shipment last March. The South Jersey Port Corporation plans to build out two additional ship berths and one more barge berth at the site.