An Olive Garden cook died after leaping headfirst into a searing hot deep fryer in an apparent suicide at the chain's Williamsport, Pennsylvania location on Lycoming Creek Road.
The male cook stripped his clothes, removed his shoes, and thrust his face into the deep fryer. Terrified coworkers and a customer desperately tried to intervene and pull him out, but he sustained severe, life-threatening burn injuries.
He was rushed to a local hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. A female employee also suffered minor burn injuries while trying to stop him.
The Olive Garden location temporarily closed for a few days for investigation and biohazard cleanup, but has since reopened.
The Pennsylvania State Police officially classified the incident as a suicide. Out of respect for the individual and the privacy of their family, authorities are withholding the victim's identity and avoiding the release of granular details.