Police ID industrial accident victim

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Police have identified the Hawaii Electric Light Co. employee who died Wednesday in a fatal industrial accident on Highway 19 in Paauilo as 52-year-old Lyle Kaaihili of Waikoloa.

According to police, a HELCO boom truck was replacing a utility pole on the highway’s shoulder near the 35-mile marker at about 10 a.m.. Witnesses told police hat as the pole was being positioned into place, the boom collapsed and the pole fell onto the victim.

Kaaihili was taken by ambulance to North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea, where he was pronounced dead at 10:49 a.m., police said.