Edwin Sinclair, 41, of Wallingford, CT died Monday, August 24 after rocks fell on him as he was operating a machine at Haynes Quarry off Derby Avenue in Oxford, CT. The official cause of death was blunt force trauma.
Sinclair, 41, who had over 10 years of experience, died when rocks fell on him while he was operating heavy machinery at the base of the quarry on Derby Avenue, according to police.
Law enforcement, in addition to CONN-OSHA, continue to investigate the incident.
Haynes Materials issued a statement Aug. 25 saying the company is cooperating with all investigations. The statement clarified Sinclair worked for a subcontracting company hired by Haynes, D’Ambruoso Construction Company.
Company Statement
The statement described Sinclair as “a true professional and a gentleman.”
“Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement read. “Construction workers show up every day to build the places where we live, work, and gather. This loss is felt profoundly across our site and by everyone who worked alongside him.”
Scene of the incident where a driller at the Haynes Quarry in Connecticut died after rocks fell and struck him.Source: Valley Independent Sentinel
The Haynes Quarry property has been controversial due to neighbors’ complaints about blasting. However, police noted blasting was not taking place the day of the incident.
The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed Aug. 26 was an accident.
Another worker at a separate mine died August 13 while performing maintenance on a slipping head pulley of a hopper at a mine in Senatobia, Mississippi, said officials at the Mine safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
Carmichael Roberts, 51, a 23-year veteran at the mine was a foreman in the maintenance area when the incident occurred on August 13.
He was working at Memphis Stone & Gravel Company, whose parent company is Granite Construction Inc. at the Perry mine Senatobia, Mississippi.
During the maintenance task, the miner fell onto the discharge conveyor, where he became engulfed as the belt began feeding material from the hopper.