Tennessee investigating plastics factory after workers trapped by Hurricane Helene floods died or went missing

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating allegations against an Erwin plastics factory where several workers died and some went missing after they were swept away by floodwaters from Hurricane Helene. The allegations involve Impact Plastics, where workers reported being denied the chance to leave before the floodwaters inundated the parking lot and cut off their escape routes. Relatives of the missing and deceased workers and factory employees who survived have alleged that they were made to show up to work despite the hurricane moving through the area. Some have said they were denied the chance to leave before the floodwaters from heavy rainfall inundated the plastics factory's parking lot and cut off their escape routes.

One surviving employee, Robert "Robby" Jarvis, told NBC News that his requests to leave were denied and he was told instead to move his car, which he did twice. He described a scene of chaos and panic as workers tried to traverse the deadly waters. "I just wish we never went to work that day. Because it was unnecessary, all these lives we lost because of that. It was wrong," Jarvis said. Impact Plastics has expressed sympathy for the missing and deceased workers but said in a statement that workers were given time to leave the factory. However, workers have come forward with accounts of being denied the chance to leave, and the company's statement has been met with skepticism. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. In the meantime, the families of the missing and deceased workers are left to grieve and seek answers.

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