SEARSPORT — Additional information has been released about the man killed by a falling tree Saturday during Tropical Storm Lee, according to a media report from Searsport Police Chief Brian Lunt. 

Gary P. Phillips, 50, of Winterport, has been identified as the victim of the accident. He was killed when a large tree branch broke due to high winds and struck the roof of Phillips’ vehicle. He later died at a hospital as a result of his injuries.

The incident occurred just before 9 a.m. on Main Street, with Searsport PD, Fire Department, and EMS responding to the report of a tree branch striking a vehicle near 44 West Main Street. 

Upon arrival on scene, first responders discovered a vehicle in the west bound lane that had been hit by a large branch that had broken free from a tree. According to the report, the branch hit the vehicle on the roof over the front windshield, causing damage to the roof of the vehicle. 

The size of the tree limb caused traffic to be completely blocked, and live power lines were on and around the vehicle. Central Maine Power was called to turn off the power to the area, which was reportedly done within minutes of first responders’ arrival on scene. Once the power was confirmed to be off, emergency responders immediately made contact with Phillips, who was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Waldo County General Hospital where additional resuscitation efforts were made. Despite efforts to save him, Phillips was not able to be revived. 

A GoFundMe has been created to benefit Phillips family, including his wife and young daughter. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com