Worker with ‘electrical injury’ collapses and dies, South Carolina coroner says
A 52-year-old collapsed and died after a workplace accident in South Carolina, officials say.
Ronald Eugene Vandiver was on the job when he received an “electrical injury” on Thursday, the Oconee County Coroner’s Office said in a news release.
He hurt his hands and went toward a hallway, where he collapsed from cardiac arrest, according to the release.
Coworkers and first responders tried to resuscitate Vandiver, who died at the scene, officials say.
It happened at Itron, a plant that makes electric meters, according to the coroner’s office. The facility is in West Union, a town roughly 45 miles west of Greenville and near the Georgia border.
Itron in a statement said it was “deeply saddened by the loss.”
“Ron was well-regarded and known for being dedicated and hardworking,” the company said in an email to McClatchy News. “He will be greatly missed by everyone. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family during this difficult time.”
Vandiver, a senior technician, had worked for the company for more than nine years, according to the news release. He lived in Clarkesville, Georgia, officials say.
Coroner Karl E. Addis said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was informed about the electrocution.
“We are actively investigating the incident and will be working closely with governmental authorities in the upcoming weeks,” the company said in its statement. “Itron takes seriously any incident that occurs at one of our sites.”
This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 10:43 AM with the headline "Worker with ‘electrical injury’ collapses and dies, South Carolina coroner says."
