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Join Telegram ChannelA Georgia town is mourning the loss of a veteran lineman killed in a workplace accident.
Eric Weems died Wednesday after he and another lineman, Trent Granger, were involved in a workplace “accident” involving equipment failure on Spalding Street in Griffin, Georgia, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.
Granger is in critical but stable condition, the city of Griffin said.
“It is with very heavy hearts that we inform our community of the tragic passing of our beloved lineman, Eric Weems. Eric suffered a catastrophic injury this morning while working on a project on Spalding Street.” , wrote the city on Facebook.
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Veteran lineman Eric Weems died Wednesday after an equipment failure while working on an electrical project in Griffin, Georgia. (Town of Griffin)
Weems, who was also a U.S. Navy veteran, celebrated his 19th year as a lineman in October, according to a video released by the city in 2020. In the video, Weems explained what it was like to be a lineman to celebrate Georgia Cities Week 2020.
He was also featured by the city in 2017 for Lineman Appreciation Month with a short video explaining why he loves his career.
Weems said one of his favorite things about being a lineman is restoring power to families with children during the winter when their homes are cold.
“You can't buy that feeling. It's a big part of why I do what I do,” Weems said, adding that “the gratification you get from turning on these people's lights is overwhelming.”
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Weems was also part of a mutual aid team that traveled to Quitman, Georgia, to help restore power to those affected by Hurricane Helene, the city announced Oct. 3.
Eric Weems was part of a relief team that traveled to southern Georgia to restore power to those affected by Hurricane Helene. (City of Griffin / Facebook)
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also commented on the tragic incident, sharing his condolences to the city and the loved ones of Weems and Granger.
“As our state and local communities rebuild after devastating storms, it is because of the dangerous work performed by our linemen that we can be on the path to recovery,” Kemp wrote.
“Marty, the girls and I are deeply saddened by this tragic news and ask all Georgians to keep the Griffin linemen, their families and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
The city of Griffin identified Eric Weems as the killed lineman and Trent Granger as the injured lineman in a statement on its Facebook page Wednesday. (City of Griffin / Facebook)
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“We ask our community to allow family, friends and colleagues to mourn the loss and pray for the healing of two of our own. We will continue to provide updates on Trent as we know them. let us cry together,” the city wrote. .
Griffin is located south of Atlanta and is considered part of the city's metropolitan area.