Monday, March 26, 2012 8:49 am

A local man died Saturday evening following an accident at the Cannon County Convenience Center.

Charles Jeffrey “Jeff” Fann, 47, of 166 Gassaway Rd., Woodbury, reportedly fell into a dumpster at the convenience center and hit his head.

Cannon County Emergency Medical Services and the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department responded to the accident at the convenience center, located on Alexander Drive.

Deputy Steve McMillen spoke with Fann’s son, Jordan, who said he was driving a truck and had backed up to the compactor. Jordan stated he stayed in the truck and his father, Jeff, got out to empty the trash that was in the back.

Jordan Fann told Deputy McMillen that during the time his father was unloading trash, he looked up and saw his father’s feet fall out of the truck.

Deputy McMillen then spoke with Donnie Gaither, who was working at the convenience center. Gaither stated that while Jeff Fann was unloading his trash, he and Jeff were talking. Gaither said he and Jeff had known each other for many years.

Gaither said that during their conversation Jeff slipped inside the bed of his truck. Gaither said he told Jeff to be careful and not to fall.

Moments later, Gaither said, Jeff slipped a second time and that was when he fell into the compactor. Gaither said he saw Jeff’s head hit a metal lip on the inside of the compactor just before he fell to the floor.

Jeff Fann was transported to Stones River Hospital, where he later died from the injuries sustained in the fall. The accident is still under investigation.

Cannon County Executive Mike Gannon expressed his condolences to the family.

“It was a very unfortunate accident and my sympathy goes out to his family,” Gannon said.