Man dies following industrial accident
PRESQUE ISLE — A Woodland man has died as the result of a work-related accident at Columbia Forest Products, located on the Industrial Park.
The Presque Isle Police Department was notified and responded to the accident shortly before 8 p.m. Monday.
“On March 22, at approximately 7:47 p.m., the PIPD responded to Columbia Forest Products, located at 265 Missile St., to assist in a medical emergency involving an employee who had been involved in an industrial accident,” said Sgt. Joey Seeley, investigating officer with the PIPD.
Crown Ambulance and the Presque Isle Fire Department were also dispatched to the scene.
“Thomas Bray, 57, of Woodland, was transported to The Aroostook Medical Center by Crown, where he passed away from the injuries he sustained in the accident,” said Seeley.
Details of the exact cause of death were unavailable at presstime, since the case remained under investigation.
“The Maine Medical Examiner’s Office, Maine Bureau of Labor Standards and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were notified. The incident is currently under investigation,” Seeley said.
“Our office was notified and is currently investigating,” said Tony Lemire, OSHA’s district conference manager.
When asked if the company had been the subject of any other investigations, Lemire said he was not aware of any other claims but said information might be obtainable from OSHA’s Web site.
Columbia Forest Products has had at least one other work-related fatality in the past decade. According to information on OSHA’s Web site, www.osha.gov, OSHA cited Columbia Forest Products for alleged willful, serious and repeat safety violations following a worker’s death at the Presque Isle plant, with a proposed fine of $250,000. The allegations were in reference to a July 1999 incident that resulted in one man’s death. No additional information was found online as to the outcome of the case.
An unidentified person answering the phone at the company Tuesday confirmed an accident had occurred and that the incident was under investigation. The person also advised company officials were in a meeting and would be in meetings throughout the week but would not confirm what the meetings were about. No other additional details on the plant’s operation were available.
Also assisting in the investigation were Officer Robert Thibeault and Det. William Scull, both of the PIPD.
