State Police investigated fatal fall that claimed the life of a Chatham man
NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Robin H. Benziger
Troop K Commander
Chatham, New York – At approximately 11:43 a.m., Troopers from the New Lebanon barracks responded to Howes Road for a Columbia County 911 EMS dispatch. Columbia County 911 reported that a subject had fallen from a bucket truck and sustained a head injury.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Robert A. Fournier, 50 years old, of Chatham, had been contracted by the Town of Chatham to remove trees and limbs from the shoulders of Howe Road. While elevated approximately 30 feet in the bucket, the hydraulic system supporting the boom appeared to have failed, causing the bucket to descend rapidly. Mr. Fournier, who was cutting branches at the time, subsequently fell from the bucket and struck the ground.
Mr. Fournier was subsequently pronounced deceased. The Troop K Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and inspected the vehicle.
The State Police were assisted by the Columbia County Coroner’s Office, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), EMS and fire who responded to the scene.
