KNOX — A Belfast man was killed and three other people were injured when a barn collapsed around 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning on Route 137 in Knox.

William Viles, 55, was trapped under debris when the roof collapsed, according to a press release from Waldo County Sheriff Jeffrey Trafton. Viles died at the scene.

Another worker, Brandon Dodge, 29, of Belfast was taken to Waldo County General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Trafton said. Charles Haskins, 23, of Jackson sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Owner of Suydam & Sons of Northport, William Magruder, also was present at the time but he was not injured, police said. Suydam & Sons is the contractor dismantling the barn at 1060 Belfast Road, according to the press release.

The barn belongs to Ed Larrabee, who lives in a house next to the property, Trafton said at the scene Thursday morning.

Trafton said in a press release the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident because it involved a workplace fatality, which is standard procedure. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office remained at the scene to assist.

Fire Departments from Montville, Freedom, Brooks, Jackson, Thorndike and Unity all responded to the call as well as ambulances from Unity, Brooks and Liberty. Life Flight was initially requested but ultimately cancelled.


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