FPS staff report
March 20, 2012
 Carroll County Coroner Dr. Mandal Haas and the Sheriff’s Department are investigating a fatal accident involving the trimming of trees in the right-of way in Perry Twp. Monday afternoon.
Eber Whitman, 49, of 110 Worthington St., Amsterdam, who was working for D&E Tree Service of Chalon Rd., Scio, trimming trees on the right-way along Aster Rd., was killed in the accident. The company was working as a subcontractor for Carroll Electric Co-Op.
Sheriff Dale Williams said another D&E employee who was working with Whitman told him Whitman was strapped into the bucket of the bucket truck cutting limbs off a tree with a chain saw about 30 feet above the ground.
The bucket was extended about 15 feet away from the truck when the boom arm apparently broke and fell toward the ground, with the bucket striking the side of the truck. The other employee was working at the rear of the truck chipping the limbs when the accident occurred and did not see the boom break.
Employees of the Carroll County Highway Department, who had been working as flaggers for the tree trimmers during the day, had just left the immediate area to retrieve signs when the accident occurred, which was about 2:30 p.m.
Williams said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was contacted and the truck was impounded.
Members of the Carroll County and Perrysville volunteer fire departments assisted at the scene. |
