Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Medical Examiner: cause of death of a construction worker at the University of Vermont last week was "accidental"


Report: Construction worker's death an accident

 Elizabeth Murray, Free Press Staff Writer 5:46 p.m. EDT July 6, 2016



(Photo: RYAN MERCER/FREE PRESS)

The Chief Medical Examiner's Office has ruled the cause of death of a construction worker at the University of Vermont last week as "accidental."

The death certificate for Dennis Longe, 61, of Jeffersonville shows the man died Thursday from injuries sustained when he fell from scaffolding on the top floor of a seven-story building under construction on campus.

Longe worked for Engelberth Construction, which is working on building the new first-year residence hall on Central Campus in Burlington, according to UVM.

The death certificate states Longe's death was caused by fractures and injuries due to blunt force trauma of his torso. He was pronounced dead at the UVM Medical Center.

UVM police and the Vermont Occupational Health and Safety Administration have opened investigations into the incident.

Jeff Wakefield, a university spokesman, said the police have no updates to issue on the investigation, and referred questions to VOSHA.

Stephen Monahan of VOSHA says the administration does not comment on open investigations.


University of Vermont police speak to each other while construction workers stand in the background June 30 at UVM campus. (Photo: RYAN MERCER/FREE PRESS)

"Information will be available when the investigation is closed," Monahan wrote in an email.

Information around how Longe fell or whether he was taking proper safety protocols has not been released. He had been wearing a harness, and the device was removed before Longe was brought to the Burlington hospital, UVM Police Chief Lianne Tuomey said last week.

Attempts to reach Engelberth Construction co-owner Tom Clavelle were unsuccessful Wednesday.