FREEPORT — A Limington man was killed in a workplace accident this morning as he and co-workers from a landscaping company installed granite steps at a shopping center on Main Street.

Traffic was choked beyond L.L. Bean as emergency personnel responded to the scene in the courtyard outside Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro, Olympia Sports and Subway, located at 136-140 Main Street.

Freeport Fire and Rescue Chief Darrel Fournier said the fire department received a call reporting an accident and possible death at 8:45 a.m. and was on scene at 8:58 a.m.

The victim, identified this afternoon by Freeport Police Department as Scott W. MacDonald, 59, was pronounced dead upon arrival. 

A Bobcat Skid Steer Loader was being used by MacDonald and two other employees of Coastal Landscape Construction and Snow Services, a Cumberland-based landscaping company, when the accident occurred, Fournier said. 

A news release issued by Freeport Police stated that the three employees were installing granite steps leading from street level by 140 Main St., to a lower shopping complex. 

MacDonald and another worker were removing the loader’s door when the front fork, which was carrying granite, dropped, crushing and instantly killing MacDonald.

The Bobcat was removed from the scene and sent to a dealer, Fournier said, where the mechanical operations of the machine are being checked. 

Detective Gino Bianchini and Officer Paul Powers of the Freeport Police Department are investigating the incident. 

Dave McGuan, an investigator from the Augusta office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration arrived on scene late this morning and was still investigating as of late this afternoon. 

An official from the medical examiner’s office was also on scene. 

rgargiulo@timesrecord.com