PHILIPSTOWN – The owner
of a concrete products company was killed on Sunday when the forklift
truck he was working on pinned him as he performed maintenance on it.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Joseph
Giachinta, 58, owner of Mid-Hudson Concrete Products on Route 9 in Philipstown.
He was under the machine, which was raised up and supported by a hoist
and jack system. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said components
of the lift and support system apparently failed, causing the forklift
to fall, pinning him underneath.
A company employee came into the business at around 10:50 a.m. and found
Giachinta pinned. He called 911 and sheriff’s deputies and emergency
responders from the Philipstown Ambulance Corps, North Highland Volunteer
Fire Department and TransCare Paramedic Services rushed to the scene.
The victim was dead on arrival.
The Putnam County Coroner’s Office has ordered an autopsy to determine
the exact cause of death.
