The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority confirmed on Tuesday night that one of its linemen died today, while working in the Sugar Estate area as part of a hurricane restoration crew. W.A.P.A. Executive Director, Julio Rhymer, ordered an immediate halt of hurricane restoration work slated for Wednesday territory-wide, in honor of the lineman and his family.
The lineman was electrocuted late Tuesday while working to restore power at a major shopping center in St. Thomas. His death was the fifth confirmed fatality since Hurricane Irma struck on September 6.
Mr. Rhymer issued the following statement on the matter:
It is with deep regret, sorrow and a sense of great loss that I must advise our community of an accident which claimed the life of a WAPA lineman on St. Thomas this evening.
While I cannot, at this time, speak to the circumstances of the accident, I can confirm that the lineman was part of a hurricane restoration crew working in the Sugar Estate area when the incident occurred.
The men and women of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and the members of the Authority’s governing board join me in offering our deepest condolences to his family who today suffered the greatest loss.
Out of respect for the ultimate sacrifice made by this member of the WAPA family, a halt has been ordered to all hurricane restoration work in both districts on Wednesday. Members of the WAPA family are encouraged to use this day to reflect on the sacrifices our linemen and plant personnel make each day in producing and distributing electrical service to the people of the Virgin Islands.
We ask for the prayers of the entire community as we go through a most difficult period during already trying circumstances.
Tags: the virgin islands water and power authority, virgin islands water and power authority, wapa
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