Lineman workers Nicholas Gamalski, 27, and Travis Chiokai, 26, with WINCO INC. died by falling 100 feet from their Hughes rotorcraft helicopter after their safety hardness snapped in Sulphur, Louisiana

Nicholas Gamalski, 27, dead

• Studied at Northwest Lineman College
• Went to Galt High
• Lives in Lake Charles, Louisiana
• From Herald, California

•  Travis Chiokai, 26, dead

  Studied at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service - TEEX
• Studied at Northwestern Lineman College
• Went to Fortuna Union High
• Lives in Lake Charles, Louisiana
• In a relationship with Latashia Perez
• From Rio Dell, California

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KLFY)-UPDATE:

The two men have been identified as Nicholas Gamalski, 27, and Travis Chiokai, 26, both from California.

ORIGINAL STORY: At approximately 9:30 a.m. this morning, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the area of N. Claiborne Street and W. Houston River Road in Sulphur in reference to two men who had fallen from a helicopter.

When deputies arrived they discovered two men, both in their 20’s and both from California, dead.

During further investigation, it was learned the two men were working on the electrical lines in the area from a helicopter.

It appears their safety harness was rubbing against the power lines, causing it to snap and causing them to fall about 100 feet from the helicopter.

Both men were pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene.

Foul play is not suspected, the deaths appear to be accidental.  Next of kin has not been notified so their names have not been released.

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Calacasieu Parish, La. (KALB) - Two young men were working on electrical lines while suspended from cable connected to a helicopter when they suddenly fell to their deaths.

(Image Source: KALB)

A spokeswoman from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's office said their safety harnesses were rubbing up against the power lines, causing them to snap.
They fell from about one-hundred feet above the ground.
Investigators believe that the deaths appear to be an accident and that no foul play was involved.

Aircraft Description

Serial Number	911027D	Status	Valid
Manufacturer Name	HUGHES	Certificate Issue Date	01/13/2010
Model	369D	Expiration Date	09/30/2019
Type Aircraft	Rotorcraft	Type Engine	Turbo-shaft
Pending Number Change	None	Dealer	No
Date Change Authorized	None	Mode S Code (base 8 / oct)	50115345
MFR Year	1981	Mode S Code (base 16 / hex)	A09AE5
Type Registration	Corporation	Fractional Owner	NO

Registered Owner

Name	WINCO INC
Street	22300 YELLOW GATE LN NE
City	AURORA	State	OREGON
County	MARION	Zip Code	97002-8434
Country	UNITED STATES

Airworthiness

Engine Manufacturer	AMA/EXPR	Classification	Standard
Engine Model	UNKNOWN ENG	Category	Normal
A/W Date	12/29/1981