BATH, Maine — A rigger at Bath Iron Works (BIW) is in critical condition at Maine Medical Center after suffering "horrific" injuries Saturday while working with a crane in the Bath shipyard.
Garret Lynn Bailey "has been through several surgeries and medical procedures since the accident," Local S6 of the Machinists Union said in a GoFundMe fundraiser for Bailey. "His injuries are some of the most severe Local Lodge S6 has ever encountered."
As of Wednesday, Bailey's mother shared an update, saying he's "fully awake and breathing on his own," and said he has a long road ahead of him.
Local and district union officials declined to comment on Tuesday.
BIW spokesman David Hench provided the following statement to NEWS CENTER Maine on Tuesday:
"A BIW employee was injured in an accident at the shipyard on Saturday, January 23. Coworkers, BIW EMTs, Safety Personnel and City of Bath Rescue took decisive action and provided immediate medical attention.
We are working to provide every assistance to our fellow employee and his family. As information becomes available we will make every effort to share it and we are working on establishing a way for all those who wish to express their support and prayers to do so.
Understanding the facts and circumstances that led to this unfortunate accident is critical so we can learn from them and ensure that something like this never happens again."
Hench declined to provide any additional information.
A representative of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which includes Local S6, said Tuesday that the injury had been ruled "a total accident and no one's fault."
A critical incident response team from the IAMAW was at the shipyard Monday and Tuesday working with witnesses to the accident and others involved.
Calls to Local S6 and the district union office on Tuesday were not returned.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which has jurisdiction over serious injuries at public sector workplaces, did not respond to phone calls Tuesday.
The GoFundMe campaign, created Monday morning to benefit Bailey and his family, had raised $1,150 of its $20,000 goal at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Union officials plan to collect donations at the BIW gate on Thursday at shift change.
A spokeswoman for Maine Medical Center said Tuesday that Bailey remains in critical condition.