A University of Maine student died Wednesday after being exposed to toxic gas exposure at the Woodland Pulp mill in Baileyville.
University officials said in a statement emailed Wednesday evening to the UMaine community, that Kasie Malcom, a junior majoring in chemical engineering, died Wednesday “following an off-campus workplace accident.”
When asked to confirm whether Malcolm died as a result of the incident at the mill, which happened Tuesday, a UMaine official sent the same statement to the Bangor Daily News without any additional comment or information.
“The loss of a student is heartbreaking and our thoughts are with Kasie’s family, friends, classmates, faculty, and all who knew and cared for him,” UMaine officials said. “We recognize that news like this can be very distressing and may bring up many emotions. Please know that you are not alone and support is available.”
The mill’s spokesperson, Scott Beal, confirmed that one person had died and another two were hospitalized after exposure to a gas on Tuesday evening. Beal would not identify any of those workers, except that he believed the deceased worker was an intern.
One of the surviving workers has since been released, Beal said.
News Center Maine and WABI also reported Wednesday that Malcolm died after being exposed to toxic gas at the mill.