Man working on power lines in Augusta County dies
Traci Moyer, tmoyer@newsleader.com 8:35 p.m. EDT September 12, 2015
(Photo: Traci Moyer)
STAUNTON, VA
An out-of-state contract worker for Dominion Virginia Power died around 1 p.m. on Saturday when a power line struck the bucket lift he was working in causing him to fall between 60 and 70 feet.
The 22-year-old man’s identity has not been released, but his family has been notified said Trevor Ross, an investigator with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office.
“He was not electrocuted,” Ross said. “The lines were not hot. The force of the lines hitting the bucket sheared it off the truck.”
The man, who was working with a crew of contractors, died at the scene.
The accident occurred near the intersection of Christians Creek and Tinkling Spring roads. Ross said the road was closed when the accident happened as the contractors were taking down old power lines and replacing towers.
Investigators gather at the scene where a man fell to his death. (Photo: Traci Moyer)
No Dominion employees were on the site at the time of the accident, Ross said. He said an employee from Dominion along with an Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigator are at the scene.
“The bucket came to rest there on the roadside,” Ross said.
Work gloves and other objects lay near the road where Ross indicated the man fell. The objects were circled in bright orange paint as investigators continued to investigate the scene.
Work gloves and other objects lying near the scene of an accident have been identified by investigators. (Photo: Traci Moyer)
Ross said he had never seen an accident like this one.
“People occasionally are electrocuted, but as far as this and the mechanics involved – this is the first time for something like this,” he said.