PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) — A West Liberty man died Friday evening after a workplace incident involving live power lines in Johnson County.
According to emergency responders, crews were dispatched around 6:34 p.m. to Foothills Communications in the Staffordsville area after receiving a report of a worker who had come into contact with live power lines.
When first responders arrived, they found the man in a man-lift basket approximately 30 to 35 feet in the air and still in contact with the power lines. The area was secured, and Ky. Route 40 was shut down in both directions.
AEP Kentucky Power was called to de-energize the lines, and Foothills Communications’ standby generator was also shut down as a precaution to prevent backfeed, causing a temporary disruption in some services.
Once the scene was made safe, responders removed the worker from the lift and brought him to the ground, where the Johnson County Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead.
The victim was identified as 48-year-old Jonathon Brown of West Liberty.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson County Coroner’s Office and Oil Springs Fire & Rescue are investigating.
Agencies assisting at the scene included WR Castle Fire and Rescue, Paintsville Fire and EMS, Paintsville/Johnson County Emergency Management and the Johnson County Constable’s Office for traffic control.
