Whitman Man Dies After Fall Down Elevator Shaft, State Worker Placed On Leave

BOSTON (CBS) - A 35-year-old man died after falling from an elevator shaft on Peddocks Island Friday night.

Assistant Plymouth County District Attorney Bridget Middleton said William E. Bryan III of Whitman was with a group invited to the island off the coast of Hull, by a Department of Conservation and Recreation employee Friday afternoon.

According to Middleton, the small group toured the island and then consumed alcohol and had something to eat at the Visitor's Center on the island.

Around 8:30 p.m., the group went into the Quarter Master's House.

Middleton said Bryan went to the third floor and attempted to jump down to the second floor from the elevator platform. The rest of the group was on the second floor, Middleton said.

That's when Bryan fell down the shaft, according to Middleton.

Someone in the group called 911 and administered CPR.

Middleton said the incident remains under investigation but Bryan's death is believed to have been accidental.

S.J. Port, a spokeswoman for the Department of Conservation and Recreation, told WBZ DCR has a caretaker that stays on the island to deter off-season visitors and vandals.

"That caretaker was on duty at the time of this incident. The caretaker has been placed on unpaid administrative leave and removed from his lodgings on the island," Port said.

Port also confirmed DCR is conducting an internal investigation.

The caretaker has not been identified.