PORTSMOUTH — A brewery worker died from injuries related to the explosion of a beer keg at the Redhook Ale Brewery Tuesday morning, said Portsmouth Regional Hospital spokeswoman Nancy Notis.

PORTSMOUTH — A brewery worker died from injuries related to the explosion of a beer keg at the Redhook Ale Brewery Tuesday morning.



Assistant Fire Chief Steve Achilles said the employee had been pressurizing a keg by filling it with air as part of a cleaning process to remove residual beer.



“The keg failed and exploded and he was injured by parts of the keg,” Achilles said.



Andy Thomas, vice president of Redhook’s commercial operations, said the Redhook organization is “saddened by the tragic event that occurred at the Portsmouth brewery this morning resulting in the death of one of our employees.”



“Our deepest sympathies go out to his family,” Thomas said. “Out of respect for his family we are not releasing his name at this time. We are doing everything in our power to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident and have closed down all non-essential operations at the Portsmouth brewery, including the pub, while the investigation continues.”



Firefighters were dispatched to the brewery at 1 Redhook Way at Pease International Tradeport, at 7:06 a.m. for an initial report about a beer keg explosion that seriously injured the worker, Achilles said. Engine 3 was first on scene and firefighters found the worker unresponsive, with a weak pulse, and located in an area with kegs, bottles and conveyor belts, Achilles said.



Emergency medical technicians then arrived by ambulance from Station 2 and found the brewery employee in cardiac arrest, with chest and head injuries, Achilles said. He was transported by ambulance to Portsmouth Regional Hospital and pronounced dead, said hospital spokeswoman Nancy Notis.



Achilles said the fire department notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and it was his understanding that Redhook management is being “very cooperative.”



Redhook spokesman Ted Lane said the “hearts” of brewery managers “go out to the family members” of the employee. He said Redhook is conducting its own investigation to determine the cause of the fatal accident. Thomas said it was inappropriate to comment further until Redhook’s investigation is complete.



“Our sympathy is with his family and everyone touched by the tragedy,” Thomas said.



Police Lt. Russell Russo said local officers were dispatched to the brewery for an initial police investigation. Federal officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also responded because the accident occurred at an alcohol-related facility.