SOUTH BRISTOL, Maine — A Newcastle man died Wednesday afternoon from an apparent medical emergency he suffered while tending a controlled brush fire on Jones Point Road in South Bristol.
South Bristol Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Mitch Mitchell said the fire was reported at about 12:25 p.m. and that crews who responded were able to douse it quickly.
“It was a permitted burn of some brush and leaves,” said Mitchell. “The fatality was due to a medical condition.”
Mitchell declined to identify the victim because of an ongoing investigation by the Maine Forest Service. He referred questions to a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department deputy who could not be reached immediately by the Bangor Daily News on Wednesday afternoon.
The Lincoln County News, who had a correspondent at the scene, reported that Lincoln County Deputy Brian Collamore identified the victim as 57-year-old Philip Wright of Newcastle, who owns a landscaping business. Wright was pronounced dead at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta, according to the newspaper.
Watch bangordailynews.com for updates.
Too bad. We never know when something might happen to us and then we will be gone.
Some people have to take into account if they are healthy enough to do the physical tasks they are trying to attempt. My next door neighbor went out to shovel snow one morning and died in his driveway of a massive heart attack at the age of 56.
Was he from Sebec?
No, this happened some years ago when I was living in Massachusetts.
Yes i agree,but you really never know when its your time.I had a friend back the 1990s was a PHY ED teacher and was 35,he was built like a brick wall.He never ate any type of meats,and went to school early to do his daily running and had a massive heart attack.he had a physical 6 months before that and was given a clean bill of health.
..and some people have to take into account the bills they owe and that no one else is going to pay them…. Phil was a Navy vet who had a bad heart, that was bound to get him eventually. He worked as a landscaper and farmer. Like many of us, he was battling to stay ahead of the bank and his mortgage. He worked hard and was in excellent physical shape… except for his heart…. as a close friend, I would say it is likely he died from heart failure and that the brush fires were not part of his demise….. hell, just three days ago we unloaded a 1/2 yard of Manure at my home… I have eggs form his chickens in my fridge and Pig and Cow in my freezers we bought together tlast season…. I will be seeing daily reminders of Phil for months to come. He leaves a Daughter who was hi pride and joy and the reason he went to work everyday to provide her a stable and loving home.
He will be missed by many…..
Very tragic. In many ways it is not unlike reading about a fellow who cuts his own wood and has for years until one day a freak accident happens and he is killed by a falling tree.
Im sorry for the loss of your friend.
I hope you do not think I am being judgemental. We all have to do what we have to do. My close friend was told never to be on his knees or lift more than fifty pounds after his knee replacement surgery. But he went back to work and did those very things. Like your friend he too had to work and take care of others and get done what needed to get done. But he ended up ruining those implants. I guess the point I was trying to make is that some of us have to think about if doing a certain task can ruin our health or possibly kill us. I have seen people have to make those choices all my life and I know they are hard to make.
no offense… I just wanted to clarify… and he knew the risk. We had talked about it, about the real possibility of it…. and thanks for the thoughts… it is never easy saying goodbye.
Live each and every day to the fullest. We’re only a single heartbeat away. R.I.P. Mr. Wright.
I think I’m past due for my yearly physical.