JACKMAN — A heavy-equipment mechanic from Canada was killed Wednesday in a timber-harvesting accident in this northern Somerset County town, police said Thursday.

Bruno Cloutier, 46, of St. Zacharie, Quebec, was pinned between a timber harvester and a service truck as the harvester was being moved Wednesday about 11:50 a.m., Detective Lt. Carl Gottardi of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department said in a release.

At the time of the accident, two crew members — the harvester operator, who has not been identified, and Cloutier — were working on the Route 6 cutoff road for R.G. Lumber of Quebec.

Cpl. Ritchie Putnam of the sheriff’s department responded to the scene and investigated the incident.

Gottardi said the operator was backing up the large timber harvester to complete needed repairs when the accident happened.

Cloutier appeared to have severe injuries to his right thigh and pelvis.

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The operator radioed for help and, with a crew supervisor, began cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other medical procedures to assist the injured mechanic, while Jackman Ambulance Service was en route to the scene, Gottardi said.

Cloutier was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance personnel, Gottardi said.

The incident remains under investigation by the sheriff’s department, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Office of the State Medical Examiner, according to Gottardi.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com


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