La Pine man delivering concrete blocks electrocuted when boom hits power lines
(Update: Oregon OSHA begins investigation)
La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 23-year-old La Pine man delivering concrete blocks was electrocuted Thursday when the boom of his truck touched overhead power lines, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.
Sgt. Jayson Janes identified the man as Ethan Matthews. He said deputies were called shortly after 1 p.m. to the 15000 block of Davis Avenue to conduct a death investigation.
Matthews was working for La Pine Redi-Mix, a family-owned and operated business, and was unloading the concrete blocks at a project site, Janes said.
A family member asked NewsChannel 21 for respect and privacy at this difficult time.
Oregon OSHA has opened an investigation of the incident, a standard process for work-related fatalities or injuries, spokesman Aaron Corvin said Friday.
"These types of investigations can take a few months to complete, give or take," he said. "Our job is to determine whether violations of workplace safety requirements occurred," through evidence, interviews and revies of safety records.
"If Oregon OSHA identifies violations, we can issue citations, which can carry penalties," Corvin added. "We also require employers to correct any serious violations that have been identified."
This article left out the most important piece of information. Did he survive? Because electrocution is not necessarily fatal.
AP Style: “to kill with a charge of electricity” I do see others with differing definitions.
Not trying to be argumentative but why would the AP style book not even agree with the Webster’s dictionary definition? Seems odd. It is such a commonly used word.
They rely on one specific version of Webster’s, the New World College Dictionary, and have stuck to this definition despite several “ask the editor” questions over the years, the Stylebook shows.
This is not an AP story
The AP Stylebook is used by journalists far and wide, not just by the wire service.
They are conducting a “Death investigation”. That usually means someone died.
Please read the other comments. That was added/clarified in an update.
– just because a word is misused by people, even a lot of people, does not necessarily change it’s meaning to the way people misuse it
This is disgusting!!! A very young man was killed and you are arguing over the meaning of a word?
Agreed.
If you were paying attention at all, you would know that the original article gave no indication of whether he was killed or not. That was clarified later. I have bugged Barney repeatedly to indicate when and what is changed in an original article, but, so far, he has not been willing to do that. It constantly creates confusion amongst commenters. I assume it will become moot soon, when they go to a new comments platform.
We do far more than most news outlets in putting update lines atop stories for new developments, as you know. Don’t how a new platform will affect caustic unfair criticism. I won’t up or downvote, but others may agree that it’s unfair.
The definition of electrocution is to be killed or severely injured by electric shock. It would be informative if this story indicated which it was.
AP defines it differently, as fatal, but have added a few words from the sheriff’s office information to make clear that it indeed sadly was a fatality.
Since when does the Associated Press get to create their own way of defining words? The definition is the definition as set forth in the dictionary. AP cannot redefine the meaning of words no more than the leftist politicians they support.
ie the dictionary Oxford Languages>>>
e·lec·tro·cu·tion
/əˌlektrəˈkyo͞oSH(ə)n/
Learn to pronounce
noun
the injury or killing of someone by electric shock.
They rely on the Webster New World College Dictionary, which has that narrower definition.
I was confused, too. Thank you for the clarification.
You’re welcome.
– your definition is not the definition
I see the FREE DICTIONARY boldly states that electrocution means a fatal encounter with electricity, and shock is the correct word to describe non-fatal encounters…..
To show how poorly this redefinition works, try to write a headline for the tragic incident in 1997 when a PPL lineman lost both arms to 10,000 volts.
I assume since DSCO was called to conduct a death investigation that Mr. Matthews was deceased.
As I said, that was added when commenters noted that there our conflicts in dictionary definitions of electrocution.
RIP
Employer better make sure they have record of safety training. Always look up!!!
How dare you heartless people a child lost his life his family has had enough heartache have some respect
– never, ever operate equipment above your line of forward vision before checking for overhead lines
I hear you, but when I worked construction, I had many incidents at a job site where we came way too close. It is especially true at new construction, where you have temporary power pole, which is much lower than the later permanent pole.
Have a heart and respect the family, did you not read family owned and operated business. He worked for his Father, and a very respected family. Show consideration for the family keep your coments to your self. Always in are hearts Ethan and family.
Your name here suggests you may be related to Mr. Mathews. My sincere condolences if this is true. This is surely a tragedy. He was much too young. He and his family will be in many of my prayers. I pray his surviving family members and friends will soon find peace in there hearts and souls over this tragic loss. Blessing to each and every one of them.
You expect classy from this group of rejects? RIP, condolences.
Yet here you are? 🤣
No kidding. These people need to quit turning this into an OSHA sponsored TED talk. Just show kindness & be respectful of this family’s tragic loss of such a young man.
Per the family request for privacy from z21 the mans name and business name should not have been published.
They did not request that, and workplace fatalities have been reported over the years with the business and person’s name reported. There is a middle ground.
This young man is gone way too soon. Prayers to family and all involved.
Condolences to the family and friends. A real tragedy, sorry for your loss
Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Thank you everyone for your support to the family. And no not related just known the family my entire life.