Putnam Businessman Crushed Under Forklift

Joseph Giachinta, the owner of Mid-Hudson Concrete Products, apparently died as he was doing maintenance on a heavy forklift at his yard on Route 9 in Philipstown, according to the Putnam Sheriff’s Office.

Police said he was found at about 10:50 a.m. Sunday under the forklift by an employee who called 911.

It had been raised up and supported by a hoist and jack system. Components of that system apparently failed, and the forklift fell, pinning Giachinta under it, police said.

Sheriff’s deputies and emergency responders from the Philipstown Ambulance Corps, the North Highland Fire Department and Trans Care Paramedic Service rushed to the scene, police said. Giachinta, 58, was dead.

The Putnam County Coroner’s Office has ordered an autopsy.