JACKMAN — A Quebec man was killed Wednesday after being pinned between a harvester track and a service truck in a work-related accident, according to Somerset County Sheriff’s Department Detective Lt. Carl E. Gottardi II.
Two crew workers of R.G. Lumber of Quebec were working on a timber harvester on Route 6 Cutoff Road when the accident occurred. Cpl. Ritchie Putnam of the sheriff’s office responded to the emergency call, which came in about 11:51 a.m.
“The harvester operator was in the process of moving the harvester [backward], so an area on the harvester could be accessed better [for a needed repair], when the heavy-equipment mechanic was pinned between the harvester track and the service truck that was parked near the harvester,” said Gottardi.
Bruno Cloutier, 46, of St. Zacharie, Quebec, was killed in the accident. He suffered severe injuries to his right thigh and pelvis area, Gottardi said.
“The harvester and a supervisor began CPR and other medical procedures to assist the injured mechanic, while the Jackman Ambulance service was en route to the scene,” said Gottardi. “[Cloutier] was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance personnel.”
The Somerset County Sheriff’s Department, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the state medical examiner’s office are investigating the accident.
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