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Florida construction worker accused of attacking boss with bulldozer

The worker is no longer employed by the construction company

Andrew Buncombe
New York
Friday 03 June 2016 17:13 BST
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Perry Byrd, 57, suffered a gash to his head
Perry Byrd, 57, suffered a gash to his head (WESH)

Everybody knows that feeling at work of getting angry with the boss.

But construction worker Erick Cox became so enraged with his manager that he used a bulldozer to dump several buckets of soil on him before attacking him with a metal level.

That, at least, is the allegation that has been aimed at Mr Cox by police in Orlando, Florida, who claim the attack happened after the worker became involved in an argument with his supervisor at the DeBary construction site. The site is where a new Wal-Mart store is being built.

Erick Cox has been charged with battery (Facebook)

In a call to the emergency services that has been released to the local media, a worker can be heard to says “Please hurry somebody come out here, he just hit him with a level and is about to kill him.”

The dispatcher replies: “He hit him with what?”

The caller says: “A loader. Somebody tried to kill him on my job. Please send somebody out here. He ran him over and covered him up with dirt. Send somebody out there, please.”

The WESH 2 TV channel said Mr Cox, 32, allegedly dumped several loads on Perry Byrd, 57, after becoming involved in a heated argument.

The worker - who goes by the nickname “Pork Chop” - also allegedly hit Mr Byrd with a six-foot aluminium level.

Police said Mr Byrd suffered a four-inch gash to his head, and needed surgery. He is still being treated in hospital.

Mr Cox told the officers he struck the victim to defend himself and claimed the second dumping of soil was an accident.

He was arrested and charged with battery, but released on bond.

The owner of the construction company said Mr Cox was no longer employed with that company

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