NEW BEDFORD (AP) - New Bedford officials say a 55-year-old man has died after being pinned between the bucket and the cab of a Bobcat he was repairing at the Water Department.
Police Capt. Steven Vicente tells the New Bedford Standard Times that Carlos Tabares was pronounced dead at a hospital about an hour after the 11 a.m. Friday accident.
Ronald Labelle, New Bedford's commissioner of public infrastructure, said Tabares was found unconscious by a co-worker who had been working on the Bobcat's engine but had gone briefly to get something. Labelle said a hydraulic lift failed and the Bobcat bucket struck Tabares in the back, pinning him.
Mayor Jon Mitchell called Tabares' death "a great loss" and said counseling is available for co-workers. Tabares had worked for the city nine years.
Police are investigating the equipment failure.