State officials are investigating a fatal accident that occurred Monday at the ADS plant in Gaffney to determine if there was any violation of safety rules that might have contributed to the death of 22- year-old Travis C. Wood.

Wood, of 351 Green Lake Road, Chesnee, died of massive internal injuries after he fell more than 31 feet from a "picker lift," according to Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler, who ruled the death accidental.

Wood died at Upstate Carolina Medical Center following the 5:10 p.m. incident.

"If we find there was a violation of safety rules, then the employer could be subject to a citation or penalty requiring them to correct the unsafe condition," said Jim Knight, public information director for the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is administered through the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Office.

"Our preliminary information is that the employee was operating the order picker lift when the order picker overturned and the employee fell approximately 35 feet and was killed," Knight continued. "We started our investigation (Tuesday)."

Knight said, by law, OSHA has up to six months to complete an investigation, but the usual time frame is approximately six weeks.

ADS is a major distributor of shoes and accessories for Sears and Rack Room Shoes. The plant is located at 34 Commerce Drive in the Meadow Creek Industrial Park.