(WWJ) A DTE Energy worker has died in a tragic accident on Detroit's west side.
Detroit Fire Department officials say the utility employee fell on a power line Tuesday afternoon and was electrocuted.
DFD Deputy Commissioner Dave Deputy Fornell said it happened just after 3 p.m. in the 14000 block of Braile Street.
"He was on a ladder, and apparently fell off a ladder and onto a live wire," Fornell told WWJ Newsradio 950's Stephanie Davis. "And so he was electrocuted, unfortunately; pronounced dead on the scene."
Fornell said the DTE crew had responded to a report of downed wires as the utility has been working to restore power knocked out during gusty storms over the last several days.
As another round of drenching storms hit the metro Detroit area on Tuesday, more than 50,000 homes and businesses serviced by DTE were without power. ((Check the DTE Outage Map))
The worker's name and other details have not been released, pending the notification of his family.
DTE released the following statement:
"It's with heavy hearts that we confirm that we lost one of our own at DTE today. A line worker who was working to restore power in Detroit came in contact with a live wire and was fatally wounded.
He was dedicated to doing his best to serve our customers, and to us he was a hero.
We're in the process of informing his family and colleagues, and are asking for time and respect to make these notifications. Our 10,000 employees are grieving right now. We send our love and support to his family and loved ones."
