BAXTER, Tenn. (WSMV) – One person died Wednesday afternoon following an incident at a construction site in Putnam County.

Sheriff Eddie Farris reports that Joseph Kyle Lesko, 41, of Putnam County, was part of a construction crew working on a new home in the area of ​​Maxwell Road.

At about 12:52 p.m., Lesko was working on the roof of the structure where several trusses were in temporary holding position to be permanently installed. One of the trusses fell, causing a domino effect of 20 or more trusses to fall as well, trapping the victim below.

Lesko is believed to have been killed instantly, PCSO said.

“This was an accident that turned into a sad and tragic loss of life in Putnam County today. Deputies, firefighters, EMS and rescue personnel responded immediately, but the weight and forces of the trusses were overwhelming and too much to overcome,” Farris said.

Earlier in the day, the sheriff’s office warned the public of a large emergency response in Baxter, and deputies responded to a construction incident in the area of ​​Maxwell Road.

The public was assured that the incident was isolated and did not pose a threat to anyone in the area.

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