CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER RELEASES FINDINGS ON JOHN'S BRIDGE VICTIMS

September 13, 2002

SEPTEMBER 16, 2002

CONTACT: JAMES FERLAND
Administrator, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
207-624-7180

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner has completed the examination of the 14 migrant workers involved in the tragic accident last Thursday at John's Bridge on the Allagash River. The survivor of the accident, Mr. Edilberto Morales-Luis was able to visually identify all of his co-workers. The following is a list of the deceased men and their country of origin:

Alexci Alcantara-Acosta, Honduras
Jose Santos Alvarado-Hernandez, Honduras
Alcidez Chavez-Hernandez, Honduras
Pablo Euceda-Amaya, Honduras
Dionisio Funez-Diaz, Honduras
Sebastian Garcia-Garcia, Honduras
Carlos H. Izaguirre, Honduras
Juan Mendez, Guatemala
Cecilio Morales-Domingo, Guatemala
Sebstian Morales-Domingo, Guatemala
Delkin Padilla-Alvarado, Honduras
Alberto Sales-Domingo, Guatemala
Juan Turcios-Matamoros, Honduras
Jose Santos Euceda-Cebeda, Honduras

The person identified as the driver, Mr. Juan Turcios-Matomoros was autopsied, and blood was sent for toxicologic analysis. The other 13 victims were examined externally, but not autopsied. Examinations revealed only minor injuries consistent with the accident but not sufficient to cause death. The cause of death on all fourteen men was determined to be drowning.