Berry Bros Lumber Co Owner Gary Berry Dies In Hazardous Spill

ADAMS, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say the co-owner of a northern New York business has been killed as the result of a hazardous materials spill at his work place.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office tells local media outlets that 54-year-old Gary Berry and an employee were working behind a building at Berry Bros. Lumber Company, located at 92124 U.S. Route 11 in Adams, when the accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2014.

Officials say chemicals came in contact with each other in a 55-gallon plastic drum and caused a reaction. They say Berry was taken to Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, where he died.

Route 11 was closed for five hours after the accident as emergency crews tried to determine what chemicals were involved.

Authorities say they're still investigating the accident.

Adams is located 50 miles north of Syracuse.

(Story by The Associated Press, edited by WIBX)