GRIFFIN, Ga. — Officials with the City of Griffin have identified a lineman who died after an accident during a power project on Wednesday afternoon.
The city identified the lineman killed as Eric Weems. Another worker, who was also a lineman, was injured in the incident. He is in "critical but stable condition," according to city officials.
"We ask that our community allow the family, friends, and colleagues to mourn the loss and pray for healing for two of our own. Together, we grieve," the city said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Weems worked as a lineman for years. He was featured in a video in 2020 for Georgia Cities Week on the City of Griffin's Facebook page, where he described what his job entailed.
Gov. Brian Kemp addressed the tragic accident in a post on X. He wrote that his family is deeply saddened and asked all Georgians to keep the linemen, their families and other loved ones in their thoughts during this time.
"As our state and local communities rebuild from devastating storms, it is because of the dangerous work done by our linemen that we are able to be on the road to recovery," Kemp wrote.
The incident happened shortly after noon on Spalding Street near Little Street when the equipment used in the project failed, according to Griffin Police.
After the accident, the area was closed to traffic. In addition, officers said those in the area will remain without power until further notice.
Jessica O'Connor, Griffin's city manager, said officials are working to learn what happened.
The city is also working to support other employees during this difficult time.
"This is devastating for all of us," she said. "So we will be getting together to with our Employee Advisory Program, which helps with counseling and those kind of things, and we will talk with them."
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