Tuesday, June 9, 2015

UTILITY WORKER CRITICALLY INJURED AFTER FALL FROM UTILITY TRUCK




JUNE 9, 2015

WARWICK, N.Y.

A utility worker was taken to the hospital Tuesday after falling from the back of work vehicle and striking his head, Warwick police said.

According to Lt. Thomas Maslanka, at approximately 1:31 p.m., a male in his early twenties was standing on the back of a moving Communications Specialists Incorporated utility truck picking up road signs along Kings Highway near Town Hall when he slipped from the vehicle and struck his head. 

The man was working as part of a three-man crew stringing fiber optic cables, Maslanka said.

The man suffered a serious head injury, but was conscious as he was transported to Orange Regional Medical Center by the Warwick Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Maslanka said.

Due to the nature of the man's injury, a helicopter was placed on standby but was not utilized due to the individual's combative nature, police said.

Det. Shawn Tetzlaff said the man's behavior was consistent with that of a person suffering a head injury, and said a police escort to the hospital was required.

The man remained at the hospital as of Tuesday afternoon, where he is listed in critical condition.