Police identify two men killed after being electrocuted in Lynchburg
Posted: Wed 4:51 PM, Jul 20, 2016 |
Updated: Wed 8:45 PM, Jul 20, 2016
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ7) UPDATE: According to Lynchburg police Timothy Lee Chittum Sr. and Timothy Lee Chittum Jr. both died.
The father and son were apparently doing maintenance work on a chimney when it happened.
AEP and OSHA are currently investigating.
ORIGINAL STORY
Two people were killed in Lynchburg after they were electrocuted, according to the Lynchburg Police Department.
Police received their first call about the incident around 3:15 Wednesday afternoon. A neighbor called 911 after finding two people lying in the yard next to 203 Rowland Drive, just off Rivermont Avenue near Randolph College.
The ladder touched a high-voltage power line, electrocuting and killing both people. We don't know their names or genders yet. Police aren't confirming that information right now because they're still trying to notify family members. Neighbors say both of the people who died were landscapers and did not live in the neighborhood.
Officers at the scene said the incident appears to be a tragic accident and they don't think any foul play was involved.
Check back for any updates.
Here is the press release from Lynchburg Police:
On July 20, 2016 at approximately 15:15 hours the Lynchburg Police department responded to 203 Rowland Drive in reference to a possible electrocution incident. When Officers arrived on the scene they discovered two white male adults unresponsive and not breathing in the yard beside 203 Rowland Drive. LFD responded as well and declared the victims deceased. Upon speaking to several witnesses it was determined that the two W/M victims were doing maintenance work on a chimney at 203 Rowland Drive address.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the two victims attempted to erect an extension ladder against the chimney at 203 Rowland Drive when the ladder came in contact with a high voltage primary powerline running between the two properties. The two victims appear to have been electrocuted and died at the scene. AEP and OSHA representatives responded and are currently investigating the incident as well.
The two victims are father and son and were identified as: *Timothy Lee Chittum Sr. age 55 of Lynchburg VA *Timothy Lee Chittum Jr. age 26 of Lynchburg VA The victims have been transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke for an autopsy and confirmation on the cause of death. The Investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Det. T.C. Barley at 434-455-6162 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Det. T.C. Barley at 434-455-6162 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900. Visit the Central Virginia Crime Stoppers website at www.cvcrimestoppers.org to enter a web tip, or text “CVCS” plus your message to 274637.