A 26-year-old Severn roofer was killed yesterday morning after falling 25 feet from a two-story North Laurel home, Howard County police said.

Hobert Ervin Bowers Jr., an employee of the Gutter Helmet Co. in Hanover, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His body was taken to the state medical examiner's office in Balti

more for an autopsy.

Howard police are investigating the accident in the 7600 block of Woodstream Way.

The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Agency, which investigates work-related deaths, has been notified.

Mr. Bowers, of the 1400 block of Larch Road, was found at 9:53 a.m. near a landscaped plant bed bordered by steel railroad ties and a set of steps, said Battalion Chief Donald Howell, of the county's fire and rescue service.

"He probably struck one of those objects as he fell, causing massive head injuries," Chief Howell said.

Doug Wallis, a MOSH supervisor, would not comment on the case, saying only that falls are a leading cause of workplace deaths.

The man had been working with at least two other workers on the roof of the home about 9 a.m. yesterday. The men were putting flashing, used for waterproofing, along parts of the steep roof, fire and rescue officials said.

The other workers took a break less than an hour later. The men last saw Mr. Bowers on the rooftop. When they had not seen him for awhile, they called to him, police said.

One of the workers went to the rear of the home, where the victim was found bleeding heavily from his head. Workers then called 911, police said.

"Everybody is pretty much down in the dumps around here," said a company worker who refused to be named.

"It's a tragedy it happened."

Mike Hicks, Mr. Bowers's brother-in-law, said the victim leaves behind a girlfriend and two sons, a 2-year-old and an 8-month-old.

"He was a real good guy," Mr. Hicks said. "It's pretty tough for everybody."