Barn roof collapses on demolition contractors, killing one in Knox, ME
Published by John on
KNOX — A man was killed and two people were injured when a barn collapsed Thursday morning on Route 137 in Knox.
William Viles, 55, of Belfast, died at the scene.
The structure, at 1060 Belfast Road, was being demolished when the roof fell in, Waldo County Sheriff Jeffrey Trafton said. Another worker, Brandon Dodge, 29, of Belfast, was taken to Waldo County General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Charles Haskins, 23, of Jackson, was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Trafton said the barn’s roof collapsed at 9:30 a.m., killing Viles and injuring the others.
William Magruder, 60, of Northport, the owner of Suydam & Sons contractor, was at the scene at the time of the incident, but was not injured.
Trafton said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident because it involved a workplace fatality. Fire departments from Montville, Freedom, Brooks, Jackson, Thorndike and Unity responded, as well as ambulances from Unity, Brooks and Liberty. A Lifeflight transport was initially requested but was cancelled. The barn belongs to Ed Larrabee, who lives in a house next to the property.
