Mail Tribune News - Central Point worker electrocuted

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2000-09-14

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Central Point worker electrocuted CENTRAL POINT -- A city crew member was electrocuted Monday while working in a trench where a water line apparently came into contact with a power line. The victim was identified as Jason Menteer, 23, of Rogue River. He is the son of Larry Menteer, state watermaster for Jackson County. Menteer had worked for the city public works department for less than a year. He attended North Medford High School and played on the school's football team that won the state 4A championship in 1993. "We are a close-knit family and this hit everybody really hard," said City Administrator Jim Bennett. "Everybody is hurting." Perl Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which have not been announced. Bennett said Menteer was part of a public works crew that was repairing a water leak about 6 a.m. Monday on Crest Drive, which is in a residential neighborhood. While the water line was being replaced, Bennett said, it apparently came into contact with a power line also in the trench and jolted Menteer. Two other workers were injured but attempted to resuscitate Menteer until paramedics arrived. Menteer was pronounced dead at Providence Medford Medical Center. The other workers, who were not identified, were treated there for injuries and released. Bennett said the city and the state Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon-OSHA) would conduct investigations. The electrocution was the second in Jackson County in a week. Brian Spilka, 45, of Gold Hill was electrocuted Aug. 23 when he attempted to cut free a tree that fell on a 115,000-volt power line near Prospect.   Mail Tribune Copyright �  The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA