Former mayor killed as food processor being tested for guacamole production explodes

Joseph Kapp previously served as the mayor of Rensselaer in New York

James Crump
Friday 07 August 2020 18:31 BST
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A former New York State mayor has died and two others have been injured after a food processor being tested for guacamole production exploded.

Joseph Kapp, who previously served as the mayor of Rensselaer, died on Wednesday, after the food processor exploded at the headquarters of engineering and test laboratory, Innovative Test Solutions, in Schenectady, New York.

The Schenectady Fire Department assistant chief Don Mareno told the Albany Times-Union that two other people had been hurt after a “high-pressure vessel” that was being tested to make guacamole exploded.

Although the other two people hurt in the incident were taken to hospital for treatment, they did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

At the time of his death, the 67-year-old was serving as the vice chairman of the Board of Trustees at Hudson Valley Community College in the town of Troy, located close to the laboratory, according to Fox News.

Although the cause of the explosion is still unknown, the fire department said that they are not treating it as suspicious, according to WGRB.

Innovative Test Solutions’ CEO and vice president, Scott Briody told Fox News that Mr Kapp was a client of the company, but declined to comment further.

Hudson Valley Community College president Roger Ramsammy released a statement, where he confirmed Mr Kapp’s death and praised him for the work he did with the school.

“It is with deep sadness that we must share that our great friend and colleague, Joe Kapp, passed away on Wednesday 5 August,” he said. “We share our deepest sympathies with Joe’s wife, Jolanta, and the entire Kapp family.

“As a trustee of Hudson Valley Community College, he helped guide the college as it grew into one of the top two year colleges in the country, making a difference in the lives of many graduates and students.”

Rensselaer County executive Steve McLaughlin also praised Mr Kapp, and told the Times-Union: “Joe Kapp leaves behind a legacy of service and accomplishment that greatly benefited Rensselaer County and the Capital region.”

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