BRIDGEWATER, Maine — An 80-year-old Bridgewater woman has died after she was run over by a potato truck while working at a potato house.
State Police Sgt. Josh Haines said Wednesday that the accident that killed Dorothy Rusby happened at about 2 p.m.
Haines said police believe Rusby had been working in the potato house at Snow Road Farms on Snow Road shortly before she was found unresponsive in the yard by her co-workers.
Police said Stephen Holmes, 47, of New Limerick, had arrived at the potato house a short time before to unload his 1994 Freightliner potato truck.
Haines said Holmes was unaware Rusby was nearby and didn’t see her as he pulled out of the potato house after unloading.
He struck her, and — unaware of what had happened — drove away, according to Haines.
Crown Ambulance responded to the scene but pronounced her dead on arrival.
The investigation is ongoing and the state medical examiner’s office and officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are assisting with the investigation.
Trooper Rob Flynn is the primary investigator and was assisted at the scene by Detective Sgt. John Cote, Haines and Troopers Nick Casavant and Dave Coflesky.
80 years old and still working. Wow. That’s The County I know.
My condolences to Dorothy’s friends and relatives.
My thoughts exactly. I’m so sorry for her and her family but I hope they have get pride in knowing that while a substantial percentage of 18 year old’s in this country celebrate their government disability checks, this woman was unloading a potato truck at age 80. THAT is a life worth celebrating.
A substantial percentage of 18 year olds are on government disability? As in, life long free money? Id like to see those large numbers. You think that because they are younger, they are worth less than yourself as a whole? Please. Most 18 year old kids are still in school and don’t have full time jobs nor the ability or need for such. I find it really, really hard to believe there is some staggering number of young adults on any sort of disability. Life is so temporary, the equality of those who partake it cannot be judged by the brief flash, but rather, the eternal dark that they share and inhabit. We are all equal in death, chum. The wisest of men are also the most modest. Things to consider, perhaps.
If you think having to work at 80 is worth celebrating, then you are a sad person. People probably shouldn’t be working at that age (not simply because of their presumed physical condition but also because the twlight years are suppose to be full of relaxation and rest after a life of servitude). I mean if she was out there chuckin’ taters cause she enjoyed, then well enough. However, if its anything but that, its a cause for concearn, not celebration. People shouldnt have to work until they die. Thats just sad. That is NOT what life is all about. We all have to work, to contribute (or be as self sufficiant as possible), for a period. But there comes a time in all peoples lives where they reach a point that they have gave enough for others and its time for others to give to them.
You’re making some serious assumptions here. Lets think a few things through. In a day when almost anyone is qualified to pump gas, bag groceries or sit on a stool in the front of Walmart and greet people, any number about 5 or 10% is “Substantial.” Generally yes, that does turn into life long “free money.” While I’m sure it has happened, I haven’t met a person yet who went on disability and then later got off it.
I make no assumptions about my self-worth compared to theirs. I can’t imagine it’s healthy way to view people.
Do modest people make negative assumptions? Just wondering.
I didn’t see anywhere in this story that states that this woman had to work until she was 80. I assumed that she chose to. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. I find that very admirable. I’m sure it is hard for you to imagine but there is still a population of people out there that take pride in being productive throughout their life. They CHOOSE to work. That is how they measure their own worth.
Once again, there is nothing in this story which suggests that she was forced into a life of slavery. We agree that one should not have to work until death but I maintain that a person should be allowed to if they choose to and if they do, it is not only admirable but also remarkable.
What I like most about people who choose to work their whole life is that they ask nothing of anyone. They take care of themselves, accept help when they need to but never feel entitled to anything.
You assumed. Why ? Agendas make for poor perception of reality.
Crapping up the comments with a political agenda is cheap, so is exploiting this incident for an agenda.
Someone’s grandma and mom is gone. That makes me sad. Some cheap bauble of politics thrown around just makes me nauseous.
I was just sad before; now I’m sad and nauseous.
I knew I shouldn’t read the comments today !
Someone is gone; someone is going to be haunted for the rest of their life.
Sometimes offering condolences to all involved, co-workers, the authorities, the truck driver, and particularly the family is the only appropriate thing one can offer.
Thats quite a spin. I expressed my condolences and appreciation for an apparently hard working 80 year old who is inspiring to me. You can keep your “agenda.”
No spin involved, and unlike your remarks, I have expressed no agenda here.
nowhere does the story say she had to or chose to work because she liked it.
No where does it say otherwise
“I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. I find that very admirable. ”
And yet you assume that a substantial number of 18 year olds collect disability checks. Your own words give proof to the lie that you give people the benefit of the doubt.
Once again, a lot of assumtions are being made. You assume that I don’t know that. Unfortunately for you and your theory, I work with these kids and their parents daily. I see it first hand. They think jt is hillarious and brag about lying to get disability. They brag about their parents telling what to say. Thats experience, not assumption.
If that is the case, you need a new job, as you are clearly unsuited to be working with young adults who may actually be ill, given your plainly hostile attitude and preconceived notions in regard to how ALL of them are.
My boss and the community seem to appreciate my work. I’m sure you are more qualified and informed than them though.
Chances are she was working to contribute to the $3.90 per gal oil she would have burned this winter. A lot of older folks work in the harvest, its a rite of passage for them and a big boost in there monetary survival. Heap has been cut substantial this year and I bet you a lot of seniors are out there building up their buffer for the winter. Sad but a very true fact. Why do you think that the young are not out there working. The seniors lost a lot of money in the stock market debacle and their 401’s 502’s and any other money that they were counting on to live out their retirement is just not there any longer. So they are taking the jobs from the kids to just survive.
I DO think working at her age something to celebrate & hope that if I reach her age I am doing the same- hope I have the health & mental capacity to do so! My condolences to her family, she sounds like some wonderful lady
You misinterpreted my comment. It was not related to ability, but rather necessity. Being able to do it is worth celebrating, doing it (unless solely for pleasure) is not, in my opinion. I too hope I am able, but I do not hope that I must resort to that. All these people who go on about the need for all people to work their hands to the bone until they die are living very sad, confused lives. You cant live if you are too busy working all the time. That’s my point.
…
My dad’s aunt worked into her 80’s because she choose to. She was a housekeeper at a motel on outer Hammond Street. She also rode a bicycle to work on a daily basis. That again was because she wanted to. She always said that the fact that she could do these things meant she was alive and well. What’s wrong with people doing what they enjoy?
Nothing. I said if she enjoyed it then I support that 100%. I was merely arguing the fact that in this country many people work at that age because they have to and that is not a good thing. If she was doing it because she enjoyed it then that is excellent. I have no issue’s with this.
What is wrong with actually reading a comment and taking it all in, and not just one part? People here are so narrow minded.
You assume I have a mind.
Uhm, I wan’t making a political statement based on some weird and false misrepresentation of youth, and there’s no indication she was unloading the truck; she was working inside the potato house, maybe went out for a smoke break or to enjoy the autumn sun.
there is no high number of 18 year olds on disability,you made that up.now a high percent of 40 and older maybe but not 18.
Isn’t ANY number of 18 year olds on disability a “high” number?
So many from that generation enjoy working and take such significant pride in their work. It’s amazing to see, and I agree. If only some from this latest generation were half as ambitious! My dad is 85 and still works. If he can’t work due to health problems for a few days, he is so irritable and depressed. I’m so happy that this lady was probably (and hopefully) living the life she was choosing right up until the end. For some of these folks, the day they quit working is the day their health deteriorates significantly and they give up.
Well said.
some young able bodied people on welfare, that should n”t be… need to be rethinking their lives! should they read this article!!! May this fine lady RIP..Condolences to Dorothy Rusby Family!!
What in the world was this lady doing working in a potato house at her age? This is just so sad on so many levels. Condolences to her family and friends and also with the driver in trying to emotionally overcome what happened.
What is wrong with someone working in a potato house? (no matter what age) Personally, I hope to live to be 80 and still be able to work.
Very sad what happened, may she rest in peace.
I was thinking the same thing. Congrats to her for an epic work ethic.
Did I say there was something wrong with it? Are you saying that it is common practice for a woman her age to be working in a potato house? I have been around for 53 years and not once, ever, did I see a lovely woman like Dorothy working in a potato house. I too, hope I am still alive and able to hold my own at 80 but I hope I dont have to resort to doing hard labor like that. I give this lady all the credit in the world for working so please dont try to minimize what I was saying.
a lot of retired people work the potato harvest in the County. not unusual to see workers in their 60’s and 70’s. most of them do it because they want to, not because they have to
Again…we are talking about an 80 year old woman. I dont pretend to know why she was working in a potato house any more than anyone else knowing.
you really should read your own posts. my point is that it is not uncommon. i have a neighbor that cut wood with chainsaw and skidder until he was 77. he is going crazy sitting home with nothing to do.
that’s 1 person. Common to me is thousands. Sorry to get you mixed up on what I said
Stand your ground – you’re comment was justified. Many of us were thinking the same thing. It just seems to be “young man’s” job is all. I hope to be as heathly and strong at 80 where I can work in a potato house still. Uh oh, watch out DevilDude, I’m going to say it – God bless her!
Your assumption seems to be that she was there because she had to “resort to hard labor.” I don’t know her personally but I know plenty of older folks who go to work even though they don’t have to, because having a purpose and accomplishing something is part of what makes them happy and keeps them going.
I dont assume anything! And I didnt say the reason of why she was there. I dont know the woman on a personal level either to know why she was working there any more than your assumption of why she was there.
Dont forget to charge your battery once in awhile. If it starts to lose the ability to charge, just trying going back to the assembly plant to get a new one. Let me know how that goes.
I’d like to live to be 80 so I can drink whiskey and smoke cigars and yell at young people and walk around in long johns and whatnot and scare the turd out of younger members of my family and tell them stories about how I was a little hellion back in the day and do things that other people find odd and be old fashioned etc etc etc etc. Thats what being 80 is all about. Having a good time before taking the plunge. Not working in some shoddy potatoe house up country or some greasy factory somewhere or whatever.
You need a CPU upgrade, pal.
It is sad what happened, thats no way to go. Whats also sad is how everyone else is so ready to jump in line.
It is spelled potato. Some people enjoy working the harvest. You need to get out of your Mother’s basement once in a while. Walking to the mailbox in your sweatpants to get your ” government cheese” doesn’t count.
Is it, now? My mistake. Apparently I am too stupid to spell that correctly. Maybe that, or you can’t understand, recognize or appreciate any sort of comedy. My whole comment was dripping with satire, sarcasm and rather innocent jests. Ooooopps.
If she enjoyed it, then fine. That is not the issue. The issue is that people in this country are forced to work their whole lives for another’s gain and they are tricked into believing they have a chance and thats the way life is. THAT is the problem.
Yep, I live in my mothers basement. Caught me. Boy, how I wish I could give people like you the verbal lashing you deserve. You seen The Passion? I love The Passion. Oh, the things I’d do, to you.
Have fun working all your life and dying and never having had the time to really live, smart guy.
LOL, I love this!!! Good for you!
very strong work ethic in the County. sad story, condolences to her family and co-workers
I agree with you 100% . All I have been saying is that it is unusual for a woman that age to be working in a potato house and it has turned into a bully match. Unbelievable. I am sure her family loves reading all of this.
I worked for a 600 acre apple orchard back in the mid 80’s, there was a full time guy who was 87, smoked 3 packs of unfiltered camels a day and did back breaking labor. I guess you are part of the retire, sit around and die crowd
Well give yourself a high five!!! Dont assume anything on what kind of person Iam, look at your own backyard. People!!!! Why has this become a forum for bullying someone with an opinion about an 80 year old woman who sadly died as the result of working in a potato house? Get your prioritys straight.
Yes… YOU people just don”t get it…..She was raised during the depression. If you don”t know what that means…look it up!!!
Good point, at the time people just wanted to WORK, regardless of the wages, but unfortunately today they expect Union wages.
I so agree! they priced themselves right out of jobs!!! WORK is a dirty word in some people”s vocabulary!!!
Another Adult Bully…make you feel better to get that out?
bullying you say!!! how about your lame comment,
“unusual for a woman that age to be working”… working ….at any age is unusual for some people!!!!
I’m sorry your so sad. Maybe tomorrow will be better for you.
I have agreed with all your posts. I choose to comment on this one because its absolutely brilliant. Cheers.
Wow, never worked around a potato farm, I guess. They make ’em tough up here…….lots of older folks work on them.
Up here? I live in Caribou. Where are you, Fort Kent? Have a good day. :-)
She probably working because the U.S. Goverment will not give a person/persons a true cost of living allowance so they could/should live better, but they can give themselves a very good pay raise with out missing a beat. The way the C o L Allowance coming this fall, my wife will get between $6.40 to $10.80 a month. That not even a pack and half of smokes or 2 and half of heating oil. That is probable why she has to work.
Good point. I agree with that. Dorothy’s family must be proud of her because she obviously was brought up with great work ethics and still had the stamina to be out there doing what she wanted.
Maybe it was a family tradition that she enjoyed. Some people still get a thrill over the busyiness of the harvest coming in and want to be involved. If it was a family business, it is possible she was in on the start of it and it was her favorite time of year. Harvests are often traditionally a happy time where everyone pulls together to get it done.
Very well could be. That makes perfect sense. Thank you for that cause I am just not understanding why or how I can upset so many people on here with such a small opinion and condolences to this woman’s family. You are about the only one who has responded with some normalcy. Have a good day :-)
So sad. I hope she didn’t suffer before dying. Condolences to her friends and family. May God comfort them in their sorrow.
Im sure they’d rather have their loved one with them than God’s comfort…. just saying. God shouldn’t be brought into this. It just messes things up. I agree that it is sad and that the family must be suffering and i wish them all manor of comfort in this painful time, but I’m not sure the man above really cares much, if he is there, or he’d have probably done something about the truck…. just saying.
You just made everything better for them. Thanks for clearing up the god comment. Are you a grief counselor? Just asking. Just saying. ….devil dou(he
I am not, but I could be. Had my share of grief and that is exactly why I have a problem with God being brought into it. The mercilessness of God is an excuse for all manor of horror’s. Religion is a plague. If God were good, he’d have prevented this unfortunate accident and let her die at home surrounded by family. Not on some farm somewhere. I said its a tragedy and that I wished only the best of things for her family. So, as far as me being a doosh, well, I suppose I’ll just suggest you should cram some brush up in your pucker, smart guy.
You shouldn’t be bringing religion into the comments. Anyone that believes in God and uses that in the comments to comfort has that right – you do not have the right to belittle those that believe. I think that the name calling is childish and unneccessary – GROW UP! You berate others on here everyday and I’m pretty sure most of us are sick of it.
God is good, and the fact that all of humanity hasn’t been wiped off the face of the earth shows that. We all have lied, stolen, looked with lust, not put God first in our lives and broken many other of God’s commandments. Only a merciful God would allow someone to continue to live after committing so many terrible sins against Him. God also showed His mercy by offering His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to die and pay the penalty we all deserve. You need to repent of your sin and trust in Christ otherwise you will face God when you die and be sent to hell for breaking God’s commandments.
Hardly. Do you not recall bible passages describing God literally killing whole civilizations? How do you excuse all of God’s cruelty? The 10 commandments are not that special. Half of them are about how God is a jealous God (what a basic human quality for an omnipotent being to be so focused on) and the others are things we’d probably figure out weren’t the best idea anyway. Not sure we need God, commands or Jesus to know that killing people is morally wrong and that we shouldnt steal other peoples stuff. That is just a silly argument. Jesus died for your sins, ahead of time. Therefore, if you do not sin, Jesus died for nothing. And, doesn’t that say something about God? Giving up his only son to an angry mob so that people thousands of years in the future can do things he deems wrong and get away with it? What kind of guy does that? Does that really make any sense at all? Does a talking snake or living in a whale for three days make sense? You say if I don’t fall to my knees and beg for forgiveness and sell my soul, I am going to be cast into Hell and tortured by the Devil because I am evil or unfit for Heaven? I thought Satan is evil and hated God? Why would he torture evil people, people God rejects? Why would he let Hell be a painful place? It is his realm, after all. Do you not think that believing in a beautiful after-life kinda makes this life seem rather pointless? Why bother to even make the world a better place? Who cares, so long as you just have faith and believe, you’ll go to a place so much better. Isnt that counter productive to creating a good life and world, here, and now? I think so.
Religion is dangerous because it allows human beings who don’t have all
the answers to believe that they do and you can tell me that you know
what happens after you die all you like, but I know you are lying. How?
Because, I havn’t died yet and clearly neither have you.
I could go on and on and on and on. Really, I could. You are outmatched, and while you might have been born again, some of us just grew up. I hope someday you stop being afraid of shadows so you can actually enjoy your life, now, before its too late.
Also, you shouldn’t speak so ill of the Devil, as he has kept the church in business all these years.
jerk
Really? How’d you find out?
Double jerk.
This dude wouldn’t make a good pimple on a county woman’s backside.
Spoken like someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about. These trucks don’t have the same visibility as a Honda Civic or a fixie.
They don’t? Really? I couldn’t have guessed. Thanks for telling me that. I grew up in a cave. No trucks, but lots of religion. So, while I understand the finer workings of theology, I guess I am rather rusty on my trucks, indeed. Thanks for the refresher, bud.
Sounds to me like you harbor some real anger and distrust in your life – sounds like you are a pretty miserable person and you like to take it out on others commenting. Maybe you shouldn’t be trolling and causing controversy all of the time!
You are correct. I am probably one the most angry, miserable people you could ever meet. I was diagnosed with Dysthymia as a child and re-diagnosed with Major Depression as a young adult. I have been in some form of trouble on and off for most of my life due to violence and hate related acts. Kids at school would be ignorant, id smack em with a chair and get expelled, for example. This marks the second time you have said this. I am well aware of who and how I am, thank you. Nothing helps out a bad mood like spreading it around, to be sure. GG Allin is one of my hero’s, too. Thought I’d tell you that, randomly, you know, to help with your character study.
Maybe you should consider how detrimental to society God and religion is before giving me a lesson in values?
Believeing in God gives many comfort in their lives. It is not our place to make judgement on those that put all of the faith in a higher power. My anger towards your comment was you going off on someone for sending their sympathy to the family. I’m sorry that you suffer in your life and I honestly wish you the best but, can you see my point here? I grew up in a strong Catholic family and since my adulthood, I have other ideas of our creation but, I don’t critize others for their beliefs whether I believe in it or not. Just saying…
Nothing is wrong with sympathy. I have also sent mine, multiple times (despite the fact that everyone chooses to see otherwise and it is completely out of the norm, for me). I just disagree with bringing God into it. It may bring comfort, but its for the wrong reasons and at great cost.
You really have no clue do you DD? You always have a negative response to anyone that mentions God in a comforting way or just any comment for that fact. How was he do anything with his truck??? It is a potato truck and not a pick-up truck…
I have a raging clue right now, actually and its pointed in your direction. Care to help?
I’m not really sure how to answer your question of “how was he do anything with his truck???”, sorry. I was suggesting that if God existed, and was a nice guy, he would have prevented the accident.
I know what kind of truck it was. I can read. I never said it was anything more than “a truck”.
Chill out. Relax. Do whatever man. But first, help me with this danged clue.
drug and alcohol test on Holmes???
ncountrygirl, you are very rude!!!! were you there? I don’t think so… Get a life… How about you being tested.
I believe that tests of this nature are required of COmmercial Drivers License
Holders when involved in a fatal accident.
SOP.
RIP to the county woman.
Any death or possiblity of death in a vehicular accident, SOP drug and alcohol test
Some guys have a habit of driving buzzed….wouldn’t be the first time. Are you saying he has no history of it? If so then I retract my comment and apologize for jumping to conclusions.
I will NOT apologize . You are the one that jumped to conclusions. Like I said where you there? No … If you were you would know he was tested because he was in a truck! You just need to start something that don’t need to be started and for anyone hurting someone like they are hurting too. So keep your rude comments to yourself!
I do not see anything rude for asking about a drug/alcohol test. Don’t you think the police will do that as routine?! I find you being the rude one here! I’m sure that the driver is hurting along with her family and that was an honest question. She stated that SHE would be the one to apolgize for jumping to conculsions – she didn’t ask that you aplogize.
SICK comment…… you jest of course!!
Uhmmm…47 year old runs over an 80 year old — perhaps they need to start retesting drivers starting at 45 instead of 65. Seems like theres been so much talk about elderly people causing all the accidents when lately I’ve read many terrible stories of drivers under the age of 50 causing accidents. Hard to believe they keep saying older people cause more accidents I’d like to know where they collect their data from.
This aside what an example this woman set…working still at the age of 80! God bless this family, sorry for you loss
Wow…people never cease to amaze me with their comments!! A son lost his mother today, beautiful grandchildren lost their gram today. Friends and family members are grieving the loss of a WONDERFUL lady. I really wish people would stop and think before posting! RIP Dot…you will be greatly missed!! :(
Wow…some people never cease to amaze me. A son lost his mother today, grandchildren lost their gram today. Family and friends are grieving the loss of a WONDERFUL lady!! I really wish people would just stop and think before they post! RIP Dot…you will be greatly missed!!!
So sad. Having driven potato trucks, as well as worked in the potato houses, I’m pretty sure nobody is to blame here. Both people just have to be really careful and it only takes one little slip up for an accident to happen. Bless her and her family, and the truck driver too.
80 and still working.. SHe is setting and example for those we see out there that should and could be working but instead to to sit back do nothing and ride the system.. If she could do it , so couldn’t they. My condolances to the family, and her friends, but my thoughts also go to the driver of the truck.. I know he had no idea he did it and it was not on purpose but none the less he has to be going through a very difficult time emotionly.
80 years old and was still working! I have picked a few myself and its pretty back breaking work. So sorry to her family and friends. I hope the driver gets through this ok as well.
I admire your determination and your strong stances on certain subject matters, really I do. I do find it frustrating when you go off on someone who makes an honest comment. I love a good debate DD, but sometimes it gets the best of me. You are right, you do have the right to make your opinions as well as everyone else. I’m not telling you that you should leave, just think about what you write sometimes before you post. Sometimes you get really mean and belittling. I’m not stalking you, I comment on others posts but, yours I can’t help posting because some of your comments are cruel and I can’t not reply. Does that make sense?
Lots and lots of sense. Cruelty brings out the best in other people. Be thankful. People like me have to exist so that good, decent people may also exist and be appreciated more. A role I was born to fill and I do so with dedication although I do not always do so with eagerness nor is it always my will.
See, I am hateful, but not completely unreasonable. You jumped on my back, a bit, I really gave you a dose of the bitterness and now we are back to being rather civil. Isn’t that neat?
Pardon the last bit, it was all just too much fun.
Good day.
Condolences to the family.
Condolences to her family and friends. Admiration for her WORK ethic.
Condolences to the families and the trucker driver.