Lineman electrocuted in Pier 4 accident

A lineman was electrocuted while another was injured while they were repairing electrical lines along Pier 4, barangay Tejero, Cebu City, on Sunday dawn.

Dante Mondarte died on the spot while Edwin Lavisares was taken to a private hospital, where his arm may require amputation, said Casimero Mahilum, president of the employees union of the Visayan Electric Company.

The linemen were employees of Rosch Inc., a n electrical services firm contracted by Veco for line maintenance.

The incident was confirmed by an employee of Rosh Inc. who refused to be named or give out the victims’ names but she assured that the company would shoulder all expenses.

She said the employees were part of an emergency crew that responded to a problem in Pier 4 after a container van hit and cut the power line around 2 a.m.

The two linemen were almost finished with the repair work when they were electrocuted.

Ethel Natera, Veco spokesperson, said Veco’s safety department is investigating the incident.
She said Veco had already turned off the power in the area and that she didn’t know where the current came from.

“We don’t want a repeat of the incident, whether affecting our employees or employees of our contracted firm,” Natera said. Correspondent Jhunnex Napallacan