Pittsylvania County, VA
Samuel Thompson, a 63-year-old employee of Danville Power and Light, died Thursday morning while working on a power line on Applewood Drive in Pittsylvania County.
Thompson and a co-worker were responding to a power outage in the area at about 8 a.m., according to statement from the city of Danville. Thompson was in an elevated bucket truck when the electrocution occurred.
“We are deeply saddened to lose a member of the Danville utilities family,” Jason Grey, director of Danville Utilities, said in a news release. “This is a difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sam’s family, friends and co-workers.”
Thompson had worked as a lineman for the utilities department for more than 20 years, according to the city.
City Manager Ken Larking confirmed the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into Thompson’s death. He said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration also will be involved in the investigation. In addition, the city of Danville will conduct its own internal probe.
When asked by the Danville Register & Bee what the investigation would involve, Grey declined to comment, saying he couldn’t release anything beyond the city’s statement.
Attempts to reach officials at OSHA were successful Thursday evening.
Danville Utilities distributes electricity to approximately 42,000 customer locations in a 500-square-mile service territory including Danville and the southern third of Pittsylvania County.
The Danville Fire Department and Danville Life Saving Crew responded to the call on the short residential drive just outside the city limits on Thursday morning.
Also, trucks from Pike Electric were seen on Applewood Drive on Thursday morning, but workers declined to speak to the Register & Bee.
According to its website, Pike Electric provides engineering, construction and maintenance.
Mitch Hardy with Pike said in an email the crews were doing “routine maintenance work,” not anything related to the electrocution.
The Danville Fire Department posted condolences to the Thompson family on Facebook.
“He assisted us on hundreds of calls over the years. Sam always smiled and supported us when needed. Please keep his family and co-workers in your prayers as they deal with the loss of Sam under these tragic circumstances,” the post read.
City Councilman James Buckner echoed these condolences, saying “I’d like to encourage everybody to pray for the family.”
“My heart goes out to Sam’s family and his friends,” Larking said in the statement from the city. “We have a close-knit group of co-workers in our utilities division who are grieving his loss. He was well regarded among his friends here and will be missed.”
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City of Danville Power and Light lineman dies on job Thursday morning
Posted: Thursday, July 6, 2017 12:19 pm
A City of Danville Power and Light employee died Thursday morning after he was electrocuted while working on a power line on Applewood Drive in Pittsylvania County. Samuel Thompson, 63, had worked as a lineman for the utilities department for more than 20 years, according to a statement released by the City Manager's Office just after 12 noon.
The accident took place around 8 a.m. Thompson and a co-worker were responding to a power outage in the neighborhood.
Utilities Director Jason Grey said Thompson was inside the elevated bucket truck when the accident occurred. Utility, fire and rescue crews responded.
"We are deeply saddened to lose a member of the Danville utilities family,” Grey said.
“This is a difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sam’s family, friends and coworkers.” City Manager Ken Larking added, "My heart goes out to Sam’s family and his friends. We have a close-knit group of co-workers in our utilities division who are grieving his loss. He was well regarded among his friends here and will be missed."
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DANVILLE, Virginia —
A City of Danville Power and Light employee died Thursday morning after he was electrocuted while working on a power line on Applewood Drive in Pittsylvania County.
The accident took place around 8 a.m. Samuel Thompson and a co-worker were responding to a power outage in the neighborhood. Thompson died after an accident with the power line.
Utilities Director Jason Grey said Thompson was inside the elevated bucket truck when the accident occurred. Utility, fire and rescue crews responded.
"We are deeply saddened to lose a member of the Danville utilities family,” Grey said. “This is a difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sam’s family, friends and coworkers.”
City Manager Ken Larking added, "My heart goes out to Sam’s family and his friends. We have a close-knit group of co-workers in our utilities division who are grieving his loss. He was well regarded among his friends here and will be missed."
Thompson, 63, worked as a lineman for the utilities department for more than 20 years.
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DANVILLE, Va. (WSET) - Officials have identified the man who was killed in an electric accident Thursday morning.
They say 63-year-old Samuel Thompson died after being electrocuted.
They say he was working on a power line on Applewood Drive in Pittsylvania County.
They say Thompson and a co-worker responded to a power outage in the area at 8 a.m. and the accident happened shortly after.
Utilities Director Jason Grey said Thompson was inside the elevated bucket truck when the accident occurred.
"We are deeply saddened to lose a member of the Danville utilities family,” Grey said. “This is a difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sam’s family, friends and coworkers.”
Thompson had worked for the company for 20 years.
This is a developing story, stay with ABC 13 for updates.