NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR —
North Little Rock’s electric utility says a worker died Wednesday morning while responding to a call of a wire in the roadway.
North Little Rock Electric says 53-year-old Doug Thurmond’s injuries were consistent with an electric shock. The utility says Thurmond was a journeyman lineman who’d worked 17 years for the department.
The utility says an internal investigation into the accident is underway, but that the wire was in the road after a vehicle accident.
North Little Rock Electric General Manager James Bray says Thurmond was an exceptionally skilled lineman and that the utility is “devastated” for his family’s loss.
Statement from the City of North Little Rock
North Little Rock Electric is deeply saddened by a tragic accident this morning resulting in the death of a great friend and 17-year employee. Doug Thurmond was a journeyman lineman with our department. The joy he brought to his colleagues and those he served will be sorely missed. Doug was 53 years old and is survived by his wife, Lisa and his son, Michael.
The internal investigation into this accident has begun. Here are the basic facts as we understand them this morning:
Around 6 am this morning Doug was dispatched on a call for a streetlight wire in the road due to a vehicle accident. Emergency personnel were notified around 7am. His injuries were consistent with electrical shock.
Statement from Mayor Joe A. Smith
My heart is aching today for Lisa, Michael, and Doug’s whole family. Our linemen do a dangerous job and we too often take for granted the service they provide. Doug was the definition of a true public servant. He would work in uncomfortable conditions so we could keep our lights on and be warm and safe in our homes. We owe Lisa and Michael the prayers of our city, the gratitude of our community, and the knowledge that we are heartbroken for their loss.
Statement from James Bray, General Manager of NLR Electric
Doug was a friend to so many here at NLR Electric. He would go above and beyond and was often commended for his job performance. Doug’s skill as a journeyman lineman was exceptional and everyone in our service area has at one point or another benefitted from his outstanding work. Doug was a man of faith, he lived his faith, and our prayers are now joined with his entire faith community. Michael has lost a father and Lisa has lost her husband. We at North Little Rock Electric are devastated for their loss.
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NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR —
A longtime employee of the North Little Rock Electric Department died on the job Wednesday morning, the city said.
Doug Thurmond, 53, was a "journeyman lineman" and had worked for the department for 17 years, according to a statement posted to Facebook.
He died from injuries consistent with electric shock, the city said. He was reportedly dispatched on a call about 6 a.m. for a streetlight wire in the road due to a car wreck near the intersection of Karrott Street and Broadway, the city said.
The department is investigating his death.
"Doug was a friend to so many here," James Bray, general manager of the North Little Rock Electric Department, wrote in the statement. "We at North Little Rock Electric are devastated for the loss."
Mayor Joe Smith also released a statement.
"Our linemen do a dangerous job and we too often take for granted the service they provide," Smith said. "Doug was the definition of a true public servant. He would work in uncomfortable conditions so we could keep our lights on and be warm and safe in our homes."