A Tennessee Valley Authority worker on Monday was electrocuted at Wilson Dam, a hydroelectric facility in northwest Alabama. TVA officials identified the worker as 51-year-old Wendell Smith of Florence.
According to an Associated Press report, Smith died from accidental electrocution. TVA spokesman Scott Brooks said it happened in the powerhouse, and that TVA officials are investigating the cause.
TVA released the following statement:
“Our thoughts are with the family of Wendell Smith, aged 51, of Florence, Ala. Mr. Smith was a 26-year-old employee of TVA as a hydro technician who passed away this morning in an incident at Wilson hydro plant. A full investigation is under way.”
One report stated that the incident happened on the 11th floor of the dam when Smith inadvertently touched a live electrical box.