Official identifies lineman who died after being electrocuted in Robeson Co.
Thursday, August 10th 2017, 4:40 pm EDT
By Brad Dickerson, Digital Producer
ROBESON COUNTY, NC (WMBF) – A lineman died after being electrocuted while working on a line Wednesday morning in Robeson County, according to Sheriff Ken Sealey.
The lineman who died has been identified as 24-year-old Matt Simpson, according to Stephanie Chavis, the Robeson County Fire Marshall and Emergency Management Director.
The accident happened around 11 a.m. on Fire Tower Road in the Fairmont area. Simpson was rushed to Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton, where he later died, Sealey said.
Employees were changing out a power pole when the accident occurred, according to Jason Tyson with the North Carolina Department of Labor. While moving a "primary neutral" type power pole, there was an arc down through the pole to the ground, near where Simpson was standing, Tyson confirmed.
Sealey added Simpson was the only one injured in the incident. He was working with East Coast Electric in Pembroke.
OSHA is investigating the lineman's death, Tyson added.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and coworkers of the employee of East Coast Electric of Pembroke that was fatally injured yesterday. The contractor was working with Lumbee River EMC.
About Us
Lumbee
River Electric Membership Corporation is a not for profit electric
utility owned by the more than 50,000 members that we serve in
Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson and Scotland counties. We currently serve more
than 58,000 accounts, spanning more than 5,600 miles across those 4
eastern North Carolina counties.
Mission Statement:
"Lumbee
River Electric Membership Corporation is a member owner-business. It is
committed to providing electric and other value-added services that
improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.
Our
dedicated employee team delivers high quality, competitively priced
products and services. We are committed to continuous improvement and to
make Lumbee River EMC our customers' first choice."
Motto and Philosophy: Safety & Members First!
=======================RED SPRINGS — An electrical worker died Wednesday after coming into contact with an energized line while working in Robeson County.
The man, who has not been identified, was employed by East Coast Electric of Pembroke and was doing contractor work for Lumbee River Electric Membership Corp., a Lumbee River news release said.
The man was working off Old Wiregrass Road near Fairmont when the accident happened mid-morning, said Lumbee River spokesman Walter White.
It’s believed the man was doing routine work, White said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the crews and team members of this individual, but most especially with his family,” said Steven Hunt, CEO and president of Lumbee River.
East Coast Electric employs 35 people, said Latasha Jacobs, the company’s office manager.
“We’ve been incorporated for 15 years and never had a fatality,” she said.
The state Department of Labor is investigating, as are East Coast Electric and Lumbee River EMC, the release said.