SEYMOUR – Police said a 41-year-old Haynes Construction employee died Monday morning (Aug. 24) after being struck by falling rocks.
Police Chief John Bucherati said the man was operating a machine at Haynes’ quarry on Derby Avenue when he was struck.
His name has not been released.
The initial radio call sending EMS to the scene was at about 10:45 a.m. The man appeared to have a head injury and was not breathing, according to the radio transmission.
“This was a fatal construction accident,” Bucherati said. “We responded here with the fire department and EMS and located a victim. He was operating a drill, and it appears as though a rock from a ledge fell and struck him. He sustained severe injuries.”
Bucherati said the incident is under investigation. State police and CONN-OSHA were called to the scene. CONN-OSHA investigates workplace fatalities. The fire marshal’s office is also investigating.
The victim is believed to be from Wallingford.
“Preliminary investigation revealed the deceased was operating heavy machinery near the base of the rock quarry. Several loose rocks fell from the cliff and fatally injured the worker. It should be noted that there was no blasting occurring at the time of the incident,” according to a Seymour police statement released at 1:28 p.m.
The quarry is behind Superior Products Distributors, Inc. at 600 Derby Ave. next to Route 8 south.
