A University of Maine student died Wednesday following a gas leak at Woodland Pulp in Baileyville.
The university identified the student as Kasie Malcolm, a junior studying chemical engineering at UMaine Machias, in a message to the college community, saying he died “in an off-campus workplace incident.”
“The loss of a student is heartbreaking and our thoughts are with Kasie’s family, friends, classmates, faculty, and all who knew and cared for him,” reads the message, signed by President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Dean of Students Andrea Gifford. “We recognize that news like this can be very distressing and may bring up many emotions. Please know that you are not alone and support is available.
“On behalf of the University of Maine community, we extend our deepest condolences to all who are grieving Kasie’s passing,” the university’s letter concludes.
The Baileyville Fire Department responded to Woodland Pulp around 6:20 p.m. Tuesday for two people who “were overtaken by some type of gas inside the plant,” fire Chief Brandon Ireland said in a news release.
Two people were taken to Calais Hospital with serious injuries, the department said.
Ireland did not respond to a request for more information Wednesday, and a spokesperson for the business could not be reached.
In a brief statement Thursday, a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson confirmed that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident.
