Brownville fatality happened during 1st day of construction

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff

BROWNVILLE — The construction fatality in Brownville on Tuesday, June 25 happened during the first day of work at the site.

Stephen Lane, 67, of Glenburn died when a concrete retaining wall collapsed on him on Railroad Avenue.

Lane, working with Freedom Paving Group, was part of the crew replacing the sidewalk and retaining wall under the railroad bridge.

Crews previously dug test pits to find the bridge footings, but it was the first full day of construction at the site, Public Safety Director Shawn Mitchell said. 

A local contractor and public works crew are creating temporary stabilization at the site so the road can reopen with the two lanes, Mitchell said.  

“Our primary goal is to get everything safe,” he added.

Railroad Avenue is the only road in and out of the town, which is surrounded by rivers and railroad tracks. The singular entrance has been a concern to the town for years and it is figuring out how to address it, Mitchell said.

Emergency services still had access to the area throughout on June 25. It was only the general public that did not have access as Lane’s death was investigated, Mitchell said.