18.11.2019

Linesman electrocuted

A linesman working from an Altec truck mounted aerial work platform was electrocuted in Palo Alto, California on Saturday.

The man, Donatus Okhomina, 42, was part of a five man team that was upgrading an electrical transformer for the Palo Alto Utilities Department. He was telescoping or slewing the platform closer to the work, when he apparently came into contact with - or moved too close to - a live high voltage cable resulting in a severe shock. He was still in the basket/bucket when the emergency services arrived, they brought him down from the basket and rushed him to hospital but he died from his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. No one else was hurt in the incident.

California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal OSHA) has been notified and will investigate the details and cause of the incident.

City manager Ed Shikada issued the following statement: “Our entire city family is saddened by the tragic loss of one of our own. Our condolences are with the family of our employee during this extremely difficult time. This is a sad reminder of the risks involved in the critical functions that our utilities employees perform daily.”

UPDATE
(51013](The city has named the deceased as Donatus Okhomina)