Man dies after accident on Prudence Island Ferry dock

A man who fell nearly 30 feet while working on the Prudence Island Ferry Dock on Thames Street last Wednesday afternoon has died, Bristol Police have confirmed.

The man, a private contractor hired by ferry operator A&R Marine “did pass away as a result of his injuries,” Bristol Police Capt. Brian Burke confirmed Tuesday morning. The worker was in the bucket of a bucket truck attempting to move a shed that is used as a ticket booth for the ferry when a strap holding the shed broke, according to a witness who works near the dock. The force reportedly threw the man from the bucket, and he fell 25 to 30 feet, Capt. Burke said.

He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he later passed away.

Bristol Police and Fire officials responded to the accident just after noon Wednesday. The Occupational and Health Safety Administration is leading the investigation. OSHA Director Patrick Griffin was not immediately available for comment. Calls since last Wednesday to ferry operator Prudence & Bay Islands Transport have been directed to a prerecorded message stating, “We are helping other customers on the phone right now. Please try again.”