Worker electrocuted while cleaning vents
By Steve Marion – Staff Writer
Updated Aug 16, 2016
Jefferson City, TN 37760
A worker cleaning vents atop a Jefferson City restaurant died last Wednesday morning after apparently coming into contact with electric lines, police officers reported.
Edward Dean Stull, 67, of 1126 Rainier Way, Dandridge, was killed in the accident, discovered at 11:20 a.m. on the roof of El Sazon, 221 East Broadway, Lt. Joe West reported.
Employees of the restaurant spotted Stull, who had been working on the roof for about two hours, lying on his left side and called 911. Arriving in about a minute, West climbed onto the roof and initiated CPR. He was assisted by Officer Monte Bowen until first responders with the Jefferson City Fire Department could arrive.
Still was pronounced dead at Jefferson Memorial Hospital at 12:01 p.m. An autopsy was ordered.
West reported that Stull had apparent electrical burns on his chest, side, arm, and right leg, as well as his left hand. According to West, Fire Chief Lee Turner and Emergency Medical Service personnel felt that the victim may have come into contact with the building’s main power tower in the southeast corner of the flat roof.
The owner of the business, Juan Martin Amaya-Rios, told officers that Stull had approached him several weeks ago about doing work for the business and arrived Wednesday morning to clean the vents. Amaya-Rios said he saw Stull working atop the building at 11:15 p.m. as he left the business to go to the bank. However, just as Amaya-Rios was leaving, an employee stepped outside to make a phone call and spotted Stull lying on the roof. He alerted other employees, who called 911. One employee climbed onto the roof and was there when officers arrived.
Employees told West that there was no noticeable interruption to electrical service during the incident.
Detective Sgt. Eric Thomas investigated. Officer Doug Cochran also assisted.
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