COVENTRY, Vt. — A subcontractor died Thursday morning after an aerial lift overturned while workers were removing fencing at the Casella Waste Systems landfill in Coventry, authorities said.
Newport EMS transported the man to North Country Hospital, where he later died. State police identified him as 58-year-old Thomas Feerick of Fairfax. Police said the incident happened just before 9:40 a.m.
What officials say
Vermont State Police investigators reported the lift tipped down a small embankment while Feerick was operating it, and that he was thrown from the platform when it struck the ground or immediately before impact. Officers said Feerick was not wearing a safety harness at the time.
Nearby contractors rendered aid and summoned emergency responders. Police described the event as accidental and said there is no indication of suspicious activity. Feerick's body was taken to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Burlington; an autopsy will determine the official cause and manner of death.
Local impact and next steps
The death adds to concerns about jobsite safety at municipal and private facilities where heavy equipment is used. Casella Waste Systems operates numerous facilities across Vermont; officials at the company did not immediately release a statement Thursday evening.
State Police continue to gather evidence at the landfill and have not released additional details about the circumstances that led to the lift overturning. OSHA or other workplace safety agencies may be involved as the investigation progresses, the department said.
- Victim: Thomas Feerick, 58, of Fairfax
- Location: Casella Waste Systems landfill, Coventry
- Time of call: about 9:40 a.m.
- Transported to: North Country Hospital; later pronounced dead
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident type | Aerial lift overturn |
| Safety equipment | No harness reported |
| Investigation | Vermont State Police; autopsy pending |
Members of the local construction and waste-management community said safety protocols are a focus after the incident, and families in small towns like Fairfax and Coventry often feel the loss across workplaces and schools. State Police asked anyone with information or who witnessed the event to contact investigators.
Further updates will be provided as authorities release findings from the autopsy and conclude their on-site work.
