ENGLEWOOD, Fla. (EYT) – A West Penn Power employee from Jefferson County was injured in a power line accident in Florida Wednesday afternoon.
Todd Meyers, a spokesman for the company, identified the man as 53-year-old Tracy Slaughenhaupt of Summerville.
Meyers said Slaughenhaupt was injured after he came in contact with a live power line.
Slaughenhaupt was in Englewood, Fla. in Sarasota County doing restoration work in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
Meyers said the accident happened around 3:30 p.m.
“It’s a very, very unfortunate thing, and we are all keeping Tracy and his family in our thoughts and prayers,” Meyers said.
Slaughenhaupt was taken to a burn unit in Bradenton.
Sources close to the situation told exploreClarion.com that Slaughenhaupt is in critical condition with burns over 36 percent of his body, including his arms, chest, back and shoulders.
West Penn Power provided accommodations for Slaughenhaupt’s wife and daughter by flying them into the Bradenton area, according to Meyers.
Meyers said Slaughenhaupt was one of approximately 40 West Penn Power workers sent to the Bradenton area last week to begin work.
“They’ve been working 16-hour days and it’s been hot and humid, very difficult conditions. Some of the places are in backyards where the bucket trucks can’t go and the guys have been climbing poles,” Meyer said. “It’s very dangerous work.”
Meyers said a full investigation into the accident is under way.
Read more:http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/.