KENNEBUNKPORT — Two employees of a Monmouth sewer pump repair company were found dead in a septic tank at the Lodge at Turbat’s Creek Tuesday morning, according to Kennebunkport Police Chief Craig Sanford.
Police received a call early that morning from an employee of Stevens Electric and Pump Service in Monmouth, who had sent the two repairmen to work on the motel’s tank. The employee hadn’t heard a response from the two after trying to call them.
The two victims, Winfield Studley, 58, of Windsor, and Richard Kemp, 70, of Monmouth, were discovered by a sanitation worker who had been hired to empty the septic tank later that morning.
One of the bodies fell out while the tank was being pumped, before the cleaner stopped emptying it. He then called the police at 11:06 a.m., who responded to the call and discovered the second body.
Kennebunkport firefighters blocked off the intersections of Wildes District and Turbats Creek roads Tuesday, as Kennebunkport police and Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators examined the scene of the incident.
The two bodies were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta to find the cause of death, which is unknown at this time, Sanford said. He added that police are unsure whether it was from an equipment malfunction or another reason.
“We are deeply saddened by the deaths of our friends and co-workers, Richard Kemp and Winfield Studley,” said Tim Stevens, owner of Stevens Electric, in a statement Tuesday. “At this point, we can’t be certain about what happened today. It’s a tragedy for two families, two communities and everyone who knew Dick and Win. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and many friends. It’s a terrible day for many people.”
Investigators will be examining the scene over the next couple of days before further information is released, said Karen Billups, assistant director of OSHA’s Augusta office.
OSHA’s inspection report could take up to six months to complete, and an inspector will determine if any workplace safety standards were violated, according to OSHA spokesman Ted Fitzgerald.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report. Staff Writer Matt Kiernan can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 326 or mkiernan@journaltribune.com.
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