Philipstown Man Killed in Workplace Accident

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports that a Philipstown man was killed on Sunday, November 22nd, when he became pinned under a piece of heavy equipment that he was servicing.

According to the preliminary findings of Sheriff’s investigators, Mr. Joseph Giachinta, aged 58, apparently died as he was performing maintenance on a forklift truck at Mid-Hudson Concrete Products, a business he owned at 3504 Route 9 in Philipstown. Mr. Giachinta was reportedly working under the forklift, which was raised up and supported by a hoist and jack system. Components of the lift and support system apparently failed, causing the forklift to fall, pinning the victim beneath it.

Another company employee reportedly entered the business at about 10:50 A.M. on Sunday and found the victim pinned under the forklift. He called 911, and Sheriff’s deputies and emergency responders from the Philipstown Ambulance Corps., North Highland Volunteer Fire Department and TransCare Paramedic Service rushed to the scene. The victim was dead upon their arrival.

The Putnam County Coroner’s Office has ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.