According to Larry Wright, president of Air Agricultural Services, Culberson, who was employed as a foreman by Woodbury L. Berce of Washburn, apparently did not hear the warning cries of employees of the air service and stepped directly into the path of the rotor.
Only employees of the Air Service are suppose to approach the helicopters when their motors are running and Culberson, who has witnessed two dusting operations, apparently forgot previous warnings, Wright said.
Culberson is being treated by Dr. Gerald Donahue at Presque Isle General hospital.
Larry Wright, president of Air Agricultural Service, which is carrying on potato field dusting operations in Aroostook, said Culberson apparently did not hear the warning cries of employees of the air service, and stepped into the path of the whirling tail rotor of the helicopter. Wright said that Culberson , who had witnessed two dusting operations by the helicopter, apparently forgot previous warnings that only employees of the air service should approach the craft when the motors were running.
Culberson was rushed to the Presque Isle General hospital, where he died late yesterday afternoon.
The accident victim was employed as foreman on a farm owned by Woodbury L. Berce of Washburn. He is survived by his wife, Ada Conley Culberson; one daughter, Jo Ann, of Washburn; his mother, Mrs. Blanche Culberson of Worcester, Mass.; a brother, Harry, of Worcester; and two sisters, Mrs. Bessie Flynn of Bristol, Conn., and Mrs. Ruth Johnson of Miami, Fla.
Funeral services will be at the Washburn Pentecostal church Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The Rev. Renhard Sands will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Philip C. Hughey, Jr.