A crew member of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hickory died in an industrial accident on the Homer Spit on Thursday.
The man was fatally injured when a crane rolled over and hit him. Chief Warrant Officer Michael Kozloski of Mahopac, New York was 35 years old.
Homer Volunteer Fire Department emergency medical technicians responded to the crane accident on Thursday afternoon in the buoy yard for the Hickory. A large crane tipped over near the Pioneer Dock. Medics treated Kozloski and took him to South Peninsula Hospital, where he died, according to a press release from the Coast Guard.
“It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of a devoted shipmate, husband and father following this tragic accident,” said Rear Adm. Matthew T. Bell Jr., Coast Guard 17th District commander in the release. “Chief Warrant Officer Kozloski faithfully served his country for over 17 years and we are forever grateful for his steadfast devotion to duty and sacrifices.”
The Coast Guard was able to release Kozloski’s name now that his family has been notified. The accident is being investigated, according to the Coast Guard.
This is the second time a member of the Coast Guard has died in Alaska within a week. A crewman from Virginia was found dead last Sunday on Amaknak Island. He had been assigned to a cutter that was stopped in Dutch Harbor.
Reach Michael Armstrong at marmstrong@homernews.com. Reach Megan Pacer at mpacer@homernews.com.
