A quiet Friday lunch shift at an Olive Garden in Williamsport, Pennsylvania spiraled into a scene of pure terror when a longtime kitchen worker died after thrusting his head into a searing hot deep fryer — an act so sudden and violent that employees and diners were left screaming, according to authorities.
Co-workers told investigators the man unexpectedly stripped off his clothes before leaning over the fryer and forcing his head into the bubbling oil. The kitchen exploded into chaos as staff rushed toward him, slipping on the floor and burning themselves while trying to pull him away.
In chilling 911 audio, a dispatcher can be heard reporting, “A male victim went head first into the fryers,” while another operator describes a restaurant filled with screams and confusion.
The man was rushed to the hospital with catastrophic burns. Doctors could not save him.
A female worker suffered burns to her arms while trying to stop the incident, and at least one shocked customer ran into the back to help, witnesses told investigators. Staff later described the scene as something they “could never unsee.”
Authorities and Olive Garden officials have declined to reveal more, calling it only a “suicide attempt,” but employees say the restaurant remained closed for days as staff struggled to process what happened.
The location has since reopened, though workers say the atmosphere feels drastically changed.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. In New York City, call 1-888-NYC-WELL. Across the U.S., call or text 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
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