Saturday, February 21, 2015

UTILITY WORKER KILLED DURING TREE TRIMMING IN LUMPKIN COUNTY, GEORGIA





JANUARY 21, 2015

DAHLONEGA , GEORGIA

A utility worker was killed Wednesday afternoon after a tree fell on him while he was working.
According to Lt. Wesley Burnett with the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office, 27-year-old Brian Johnson was working on a tree near Georgia 400 at Whelchel Road about 2:30 p.m.

"There was a utility crew out there, clearing the right of way for the power lines," said Burnett. "While they were doing the clearing, they were cutting trees and one of the trees fell and actually struck one of the employees."

Burnett said Johnson, who he believes is from Cumming, was killed.

"At this point it seems like just a horrible accident," Burnett said.

No further details were released by Burnett. Blake House with Sawnee EMC confirmed that Johnson was a Sawnee EMC worker.

"Mr. Johnson sustained severe injuries from the accident, and was later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency response personnel," said House in a press statement.

"The entire Sawnee EMC family is deeply saddened by this tragedy. At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this young man.