REGINA -- Two SaskPower employees died as a result of a “serious safety incident” in Weyburn, the Crown corporation reported on Thursday evening.
At around 3:10 p,m, Thursday afternoon the Weyburn Police Service was called to an industrial accident that occurred at Government Road South and 6 Avenue Southeast.
“Upon arrival, it was determined that Sask Power crews was performing some type of work when the incident occurred,” Weyburn police said in a news release.
When police arrived, a 51-year-old SaskPower employee was dead at the scene. A 40-year-old employee was seriously injured and transported to hospital where he later died of his injuries.
Police have now confirmed the two workers fell from the bucket they were working in. Police and Occupational Health and Safety are now investigating how the bucket tipped.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and coworkers," SaskPower said in the release.
SaskPower said it is working with authorities as internal and external investigators continue. A spokesperson for SaskPower said they are not able to provide further comment at this time.
Dustin Duncan, in his government role as Minister Responsible for SaskPower, was notified of the incident Thursday afternoon and issued a statement Friday saying he would suspend his election campaign activities for the day.
"These will be difficult days for so many people. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends, as well as the entire community of Weyburn," Duncan said. "My heart also goes out to the entire Saskpower family. I offer my condolences to each of them, especially the power line technicians. I know this is a tight knit group of employees throughout the province, and they are grieving the loss of two colleagues."
Duncan is also the incumbent MLA for the Weyburn-Big Muddy constituency.
"One never gets used to these type of tragedies, especially a person so young, they have families. This is going to be a loss within our community,” Weyburn Mayor Marcel Roy said.
