Ridgefield, New Jersey (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) — A middle-aged, self-employed contractor who had been operating a backhoe machine in Bergen County died on the afternoon of June 26th 2008. The bucket and arm of the machine fell back pinning the man in his seat, according to police.
Capt. Rich Besser of the Ridgefield Police Department said that the man was a 44-year old resident of Palisades Park and had been working on a concrete staircase in the rear of a house in Day Avenue in Ridgefield when the accident took place. Basser also said that the reasons for the self-propelling four-wheel backhoe machine malfunctioning are still not clear. The contractor had also employed three other workers who were present at the site when the incident took place around 3:40 pm. Besser said that one of the workers witnessed the accident. Whether the owner of the home was present is still unknown.
The man was declared dead on the scene and authorities refuse to reveal the name of the victim as they are still waiting for the notification from his relatives. One of the man’s cousin said that the he was a thoughtful, kind and an extremely generous person and knowing him was a privilege. He came from a line of professional and experienced contractors and was skilled in his work, but mechanical errors are liable to occur in this technological world.
The victim’s father also died only a few weeks ago. Sgt. Robert Williams said that the man lived in a house where the construction was going on and he was also an owner of a small company of contractors. Williams also said that the man also owned properties in addition to the one at Palisades Park. The office of Bergen County Medical Examiner and the police of Ridgefield are investigating the incident.