At 9:30 p.m. Saturday, RCMP were called to a field south of Wakaw, located approximately 130 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. SaskPower workers had been repairing a high voltage transmission line when a 45-year-old crew member was electrocuted. The man's name was not released.
According to RC MP and SaskPower, the man was injured but did not die at the scene. He was rushed to hospital in nearby Rosthern where he was pronounced dead shortly after.
"Any accident is always difficult, but it's even tougher at this time of the year. It's unfortunate for the family to have to deal with something like this," Wakaw RC -MP Sgt. Deon Marquis said.
Collins agreed. "It's never a good time, but this is unbelievable," he said.
Collins said his union will be in touch with the Saskatoon family of the man, offering to help financially or in any other way needed. Collins said it's been a very long time since any of the Crown corporation's 3,000 full-time employees died on the job, and said "even one death is too many."
The SaskPower worker electrocuted near Wakaw should serve as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by many workers in the province, says an official. "This is a tragedy. You do your best to mitigate the risks, but this is very dangerous work," International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2067 spokesperson Neil Collins said. "They go out there in the cold, in the dark. Our brothers and sisters are out there for you."
