Toscana Employee Dies In Heavy Machinery Accident Monday Morning

A Toscana Corporation employee died in a heavy machinery accident Monday morning at the company's Arrowhead Drive facility.

"A tragic accident took place at our yard at 13 Arrowhead this morning at 7:10 a.m. and, unfortunately, an employee lost his life," Toscana Corporation owner Carl Jelleme said. "We are devastated by the loss of such a promising young man."

Nantucket Police and Fire Department personnel responded to Toscana's lot at 19 Arrowhead Drive around 7:10 a.m. for an individual who was reportedly struck by heavy machinery and suffered head trauma.

"Upon the fire department’s arrival, crews found a male patient who was injured," Nantucket fire chief Michael Cranson said in a press release. "The firefighters performed lifesaving emergency medical services and transported the patient to Nantucket Cottage Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries."

Jelleme described the current status of the investigation into the incident: "OSHA and the Department of Public Safety are on site and investigating," he said. "We have been in business serving Nantucket since 1979 and have never had a fatality. We are cooperating fully with OSHA and the Department of Public Safety to understand what happened so we can work to make sure it never happens again."

In the initial moments following the incident, first responders almost immediately called for a Medflight and it was described in emergency radio dispatches as a level one trauma. The accident victim was described as a male in his 30s.

Shortly after the incident, four police cruisers remained at Toscana's Arrowhead Drive location with officers investigating what happened. A State Police Trooper also responded to the scene.

Off-duty Nantucket Fire Department EMT Ethan Fey was at Toscana picking up landscaping supplies when the accident happened, and was able to provide nearly immediate medical attention to the victim.

Toscana was closed on Tuesday to allow its employees time to be with their families, and the company has offered counseling and support to all staff members, Jelleme said.

"We have reached out to his family to offer our support and ask that you respect their privacy during this difficult time," Jelleme added.