The Faribault Police Department issued a news release Saturday detailing the tragic electrocution of workers at a Faribault construction site.

Faribault Police Chief Andy Bohlen says officers were dispatched to 17th Street Northwest and Hulett Avenue at 3:13FARIBAULT - On Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 3:13 pm.

Also responding were the Faribault Fire Department, Rice County Sheriff's Office and North Ambulance.

The initial call was a report of a fire, but first responders learned multiple workers had been electrocuted.

It was learned that three individuals were using boom lifts to install gutters on a new building when one of the worker's struck a power line and all three were electrocuted.

In the news release Chief Bohlen says two of the workers were in cardiac arrest while the third remained conscious. Another worker on the ground was able to lower the victims.

"CPR was administered to the two unresponsive victims. One worker was airlifted to a metro-area hospital, and was in critical condition. The second worker was transported to Allina-District One Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The third victim was seen and declined medical treatment at the scene. Three other workers were uninjured."

The deceased worker was identified as Eric Hunter, 42, of Waterville.

The injured worker was identified as Anthony Bendrick, 39, of Warsaw.

Faribault investigators are working with investigators from Xcel Energy and have contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The workers were all employed by Shane Southard Construction of Waterville which was a subcontractor on the project.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected by this tragic incident,” commented Chief Andy Bohlen.

Morristown
North Air Care. File Photo by Gordy Kosfeld
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