The accidental death of a popular worker at the Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway track on Wednesday has led the Bangor casino to cancel harness races next week.

On Thursday, officials identified the man as Edwin Reynolds, 64, from Machias, who died after an accident that involved the starting gate vehicle. The starting gate is attached to the back of a vehicle and is collapsed and driven away as the race begins. The accident occurred during routine maintenance at the track, the casino said, but neither the casino nor Bangor police would provide details on what happened.

A spokeswoman for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed that the agency has opened an investigation into the fatality, but wouldn’t release details about the incident. She said the agency has six months to complete its investigation. A search of the agency’s database showed no previous enforcement actions or inspections targeting the raceway.

There was no public event at the track at the time, according to Dan Cashman, a spokesman for the casino. He said the raceway is cooperating with the investigation.

Cashman said Hollywood Casino, which operates the harness racing track, was bringing in grief counselors for employees. Reynolds was a 21-year employee of the track and was listed in the 2015 program as a barn/track superintendent.

“I’ve seen him called the backbone of Bangor Raceway,” Cashman said. “Nothing but strong, kind words about him from those who knew him.”

Races scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been canceled. The race dates may be rescheduled, but a date has not been determined, Cashman said. The next scheduled race date is Oct. 5.

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