Man killed in Middlefield construction accident

MIDDLEFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) -- A construction worker is dead after falling some 12 feet while on the job in Middlefield on Friday.

The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Lamar Liddell of New Haven. News 8 is told he is the husband and father of a young child. Troopers say he was working at a home on Cherry Hill Road as a subcontractor for Luanci Construction LLC. News 8 has also learned this is not the first time the company has been involved in a work related accident.

On Friday morning investigators with the Connecticut State police worked alongside those from OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Around 9 a.m. troopers got a call that a man had fallen at a construction site in Middlefield. Lifestar was called in to assist but was soon canceled.

"Troopers EMS and fire services responded to the scene and upon arrival EMS examined the individual who was reported injured and then the individual was pronounced dead," said Lt. Paul Vance.

Troopers say Liddell fell 12 to 13 feet from a second-floor landing. According to documents on OSHA's website the construction company was cited for another serious fall back in December 2011 and were fined over $11,000 for that incident.

"Whenever there's work related injury or death, OSHA comes in and conducts an investigation," said Lt. Vance.

Troopers stayed on scene throughout the morning but say foul play does not seem to have played a role in Lindell's death.

"We'll do a parallel investigation but the preliminary information by the investigator, the resident trooper in the town, has indicated that there's no criminal aspect, that this was an accidental death," said Lt. Vance.

Troopers told us that Liddell seems to have died from a head injury but they say an autopsy will be performed as part of the investigation.

Earlier today the owner of the home was there and while he didn't want to go on camera, he said everyone is shaken up and very sad about the accident. News 8 also tried to reach Luanci Construction for comment but they have no returned the call.

The workers were back to work by 1 p.m. and the accident remains under investigation.