Concord Police Chief Joseph F. O’Connor said the situation was reported to 911 operators around 1:47 p.m. "Officers along with Concord fire responded to the scene,” O’Connor said. “The area is under construction for septic improvements. They noticed there was an industrial accident that resulted in the fatality of a male."

The victim, from Sutton, had been on the grounds of the Willard Elementary School, operating a boom truck, a flatbed truck with a crane attached to it, the DA’s office stated. He was reportedly delivering pipe to the construction site.

“The preliminary investigation suggests the decedent was operating the crane outside the vehicle when an apparent mechanical failure occurred, resulting in him being struck by the construction equipment,” the statement said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and the case has been referred to the medical examiner's office, which will determine the cause of death.

Meanwhile, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation, but has not estimated a completion date, an OSHA spokesman says.

An August 8, 2017, OSHA citation states E.J. Prescott, a Gardiner, Maine-based water, wastewater and stormwater products distributor, was cited for one serious safety violation for repeat and serious violations of workplace safety for not having a safety program providing for inspections of jobsites, materials and equipment at an oil and gas construction project in Haverhill, Mass. It included a proposed fine of $7,243, but the fine was reduced to $3,650 after hazards were abated and the case was settled.

On April 23, 2013, the firm was charged with four serious safety violations on a water and sewer line construction project for which it was fined $76,230, but the violations were abated within a few days before the case was settled and no fines were paid.

OSHA inspectors were traveling to another worksite when they came across an open and unguarded 7-ft, 3-in.-deep excavation where the workers were installing a large valve in a pipe at the bottom of the excavation, an April 29 OSHA statement notes.

“The repeat violations include failing to protect workers from cave-ins with an adequate protective system and that trained supervisory personnel failed to remove workers from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions could be taken,” the statement notes. “OSHA standards require that excavations 5 ft or deeper be protected against collapse.”

Adams leaves his wife of 31 years, Michelle Adams, his children Katelyn and Eric Adams and his brother Ray Adams and his wife Sue, states a legacy.com obituary. He was predeceased by his infant son Sean Adams. Adams was a native of Brunswick, Maine, son of the late Tom and Eileen Adams.

Adams grew up in Northbridge, Mass., where he graduated high school. For 25 years he worked at Washington Mills in North Grafton before he owned and operated D. Adams Trucking Co. for 10 years. Most recently he was driving a truck for E. J. Prescott of Shrewsbury, Mass.

Mike Brown, director of human resources at E.J. Prescott was not able to confirm whether Adams was an employee or a contractor for the firm. “We are not commenting at this time. We are waiting for the results of the ongoing investigation. Our hearts go out to the family for this tragic loss.

Adams is remembered for being a family man, always putting his wife Michelle and children first, the obituary notes. “He was a child at heart, could easily bring a smile to everyone around him and put people at ease.”

He loved New England sports teams, could tinker for hours on projects of any size, and was always taking care of the "toys" he loved, it adds.

Adams and his wife found time to travel to Cape Cod, Aruba and most recently to Alaska. “He was the kind of friend and neighbor we should all have and will be greatly missed.”