TECO employee dies after line shock

The Tampa Electric Co. lineman who was shocked June 7 has died.

John Hudson, 39, worked 19 years for Tampa Electric. He died the following night at Tampa General Hospital, a spokesman said.

"He was working hard to service our customers," said Rick Morera, a Tampa Electric spokesman. "It was just a terrible tragedy and terrible loss."

Police and firefighters responded to Dona Michelle Drive and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard about 10:20 a.m. and found Hudson lying on the ground.

Hudson had been working on an electrical line from an insulated bucket truck when his body came in contact with the 7,620-volt power line, police said then. The shock caused severe burns.

Co-workers lowered him to the ground and began CPR until Fire Rescue workers arrived and took him to the hospital.

Morera said the last time a Tampa Electric employee was killed while on duty was in 2004, when a tree limb struck an employee making repairs after Hurricane Frances.

In 2008, 35 people were killed across the country while installing and repairing electrical power lines, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"It's an unforgiving environment that they work in," Morera said. "We're doing a complete review and analysis of what happened."

Related News

Peterborough Distribution sold to Hydro One for $105 million.

PETERBOROUGH - The City of Peterborough said Wednesday it has agreed to sell Peterborough Distribution Inc. to Hydro One for $105 million.

The deal requires the approval of the Ontario Energy Board.

According to the city, the deal includes a one per cent distribution rate reduction and a five-year freeze in distribution rates for customers, plus:

  • A second five-year period with distribution rate increases limited to inflation and an earnings sharing mechanism to offset rates in year 11 and onward
  • Protections for PDI employees with employees receiving employment offers to move to Hydro One
  • A sale price of $105 million
  • An agreement to develop a regional…

    READ MORE
brazil strikers

Brazilian electricity workers call for 72-hour strike

READ MORE

Nova Scotia Power says it now generates 30 per cent of its power from renewables

READ MORE

major utilities in the United States

Major U.S. utilities spending more on electricity delivery, less on power production

READ MORE

$1.6 Billion Battery Plant Charges Niagara Region

$1.6 Billion Battery Plant Charges Niagara Region for Electric Vehicle Future

READ MORE