Robert “Bob” Mitschke
A 59-year-old Helena man and longtime
NorthWestern Energy employee died early Friday morning from injuries
sustained after a power pole fell on his head and back.
Robert Mitschke was hit by the pole around 10:45 p.m. Thursday. Summit Air Ambulance flew Mitschke to Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, where he died around 1:32 a.m. of traumatic injuries to his head and back, according to Lewis and Clark County Coroner Mickey Nelson.
Nelson said the incident occurred about three miles northeast of Wolf Creek off Craig River Road.
Mitschke, a 36-year veteran lineman for NorthWestern, had responded with a crew to reports of an emergency issue with a power line, company spokesman Butch Larcombe said.
Details of the incident are still being pieced together, and Larcombe said the company’s main focus on Friday was helping Mitschke’s family and longtime coworkers.
“The people that do line work is a very close knit bunch, and I’m sure this is a very difficult time for them,” Larcombe said.
He said Mitschke had a wife who lives in Helena and three grown daughters.
Larcombe said both NorthWestern and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will investigate the incident.
“We'll certainly fully cooperate, ” he said.
He could not recall the last time a NorthWestern Energy employee died on the job but said “it’s not a common occurrence.”
Robert Mitschke was hit by the pole around 10:45 p.m. Thursday. Summit Air Ambulance flew Mitschke to Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, where he died around 1:32 a.m. of traumatic injuries to his head and back, according to Lewis and Clark County Coroner Mickey Nelson.
Nelson said the incident occurred about three miles northeast of Wolf Creek off Craig River Road.
Mitschke, a 36-year veteran lineman for NorthWestern, had responded with a crew to reports of an emergency issue with a power line, company spokesman Butch Larcombe said.
Details of the incident are still being pieced together, and Larcombe said the company’s main focus on Friday was helping Mitschke’s family and longtime coworkers.
“The people that do line work is a very close knit bunch, and I’m sure this is a very difficult time for them,” Larcombe said.
He said Mitschke had a wife who lives in Helena and three grown daughters.
Larcombe said both NorthWestern and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will investigate the incident.
“We'll certainly fully cooperate, ” he said.
He could not recall the last time a NorthWestern Energy employee died on the job but said “it’s not a common occurrence.”