Worker Pinned by Auger Dies
A 46-year-old construction worker died after being involved in an auger incident in Port Kent, NY.
Michael Bradley Loyer of South Burlington, VT, was using a Barbco auger while installing a large pipe, when the machine became stuck in the pipe. Loyer was ejected and became pinned under about the piece of equipment, weighing some 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms).
A backhoe was used to move the auger off the victim, who was pronounced dead in hospital a short time afterwards. Loyer, who owned Trenchless Technologies of New England, Inc. with his brother, Thomas, died from multiple blunt force injuries.
Loyer was actively involved with the Eagles Aerie 793 and loved the outdoors.
“His death is a reminder to us all of the dangers we face every day working around heavy equipment, in particular, the high-torque drilling equipment,” a colleague wrote in a condolence message. “We can never be too cautious and we should never become complacent around heavy equipment.”
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and New York State Police are investigating.
