Lineman electrocuted on out-of-state job, Alabama union says. ‘Great guy to be around’
An Alabama lineman was working in Michigan to restore power when he was fatally electrocuted, an electrical workers union announced.
Austin Chappell, 30, was on an out-of-state job in Detroit when he sustained a “fatal injury” on the pole on June 24, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Montgomery chapter announced on Facebook.
Chappell was a husband and father of a 10-year-old daughter, the union said, as well as being part of the Local 443 chapter.
“Brother Austin Chappell passed away this weekend, he was a hell of a hand and a great friend,” fellow union member Will Wilcox wrote on Facebook. “He loved his family more than most.”
Chappell was in Michigan as a contract employee for DTE Energy, according to a statement from the company.
“It is with heavy hearts that we confirm that one of our contract partners lost an employee Saturday while doing work for DTE,” the Michigan based energy company told McClatchy News in an email. “This contract line worker who was working in Detroit came in contact with live equipment and was fatally wounded.”
Chappell’s father, Jeff Chappell, told CBS Detroit his son was in Michigan helping to get the power back on after storms in the area.
“He was a hard worker. He’s 600-700 miles from home trying to help people get their power turned back on,” he told the outlet.
As of June 26, nearly 70,000 DTE Energy customers were still without power, The Detroit News reported.
Family and friends of Chappell remembered him on social media as a devoted father and husband, an avid golf player and bull rider full of heart.
“He had A LOT of heart and a lot of try when it came to ridin(g) bulls. He always had a smile on his face when he was around you,” Jordan Engle wrote on Facebook. “He was always a great guy to be around.”
“We went to Topgolf for my birthday and he had to teach me to golf since he was actually a pro,” Lana Grace Turner wrote on Facebook. “Even in such a simple environment, he was always willing to take time out of his day for other people.”
“One of a kind,” Drew Kisner wrote on Facebook.
Brittney Matson said Chappell was the first child she ever babysat, and remembered him as the “cutest, mischievous little blonde hair, blued eyed boy with his sweet raspy voice” that would come and give her a big hug every time he saw her.
Chappell lived in Montgomery with his wife Sara and daughter Vanessa.
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