The West Virginia University employee who died in Thursdays (July 19) accident at Milan Puskar Stadium has been identified by University officials as Bruce Mathieson, 50, of Morgantown.

A trades specialist II with Facilities Management and a Navy veteran, Mathieson had worked at WVU since Oct. 1, 2002. He died when he fell approximately 30 feet at WVU s football stadium. The accident happened just before 5 p.m. at the north end zone building of the stadium.

This is a very sad time, WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. said.The entire WVU community joins us in expressing our deepest condolences to Bruces family, as well as to his friends and colleagues in Facilities Management, for this loss. Although a rare occurrence for the University, we are all affected when such a tragedy does occur in our WVU family.

Hardesty said he and President-elect Mike Garrison have spoken about the accident, and Garrison joins him in offering condolences to Mathiesons family.

WVU facilities employees have set up an account to help the family. Contributions may be sent to: Bruce Mathieson Memorial Fund, c/o Janie Nehlen, 990 Elmer Prince Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508 .

Bruce worked mainly the night shift,said Randy Hudak, director of WVU Facilities Management.He was very upbeat and always cheerful. He had a good attitude and was willing to do anything that was necessary to get the job done.

The WVU Department of Public Safety has been working with University Environmental Health and Safety officials in the ongoing investigation of the accident.