NIPSCO worker electrocuted
BY ANDREA HOLECEKNIPSCO worker Michael Nesius died early Friday when he came in contact with a live 12,500-volt circuit, according to a union official.
Nesius, 43, of Rensselaer, was with a crew replacing a pole carrying electric power lines that had been broken during a car accident, said Dave Chlebek, chairman of the safety committee for United Steelworkers Local 12775. The incident occurred on U.S. 421 south of Medaryville between 2 and 3 a.m.
"All we know is he was on the ground and there was an electrical contact," Chlebek said. "We're still trying to put the pieces together. The guys are all shook up."
Chlebek, the local's President Jim Blythe and its Grievance Committee Chairman Mark Dereck, as well as representatives of the Indiana Occupational Health and Safety Administration, were on the scene Friday afternoon trying to determine how the accident happened.
"It's an extreme tragedy," Chlebek said. "It's a very dangerous job we do, and this makes us take stock of what we do every day. Our sympathy goes out to his family."
No one from the Pulaski County coroner's office returned calls Friday seeking information on the incident.
In a statement by NIPSCO on Friday, the utility said a fund is being established for Nesius' family.
"All the employees of NIPSCO today are mourning the loss of one of our colleagues, who died early this morning while working on a repair job," the statement says. "Our focus -- as well as our thoughts and prayers -- are with his family. ... The investigation is under way and we are complying with all reporting requirements."
NIPSCO spokesman Tom Cuddy said he couldn't release any other information on the accident.
Nesius is survived by his wife, Jeanna, and two children.