Autopsy: NorthWestern lineman died of low-voltage shock

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) A coroner's report says a NorthWestern Energy lineman, who died last month at Lockwood, died of a low-voltage electrical shock while on the job.

Sixty-year-old Sebastian Fettig, of Billings, repaired and installed electrical lines. He was found unconscious by members of his crew on June 15th, and there were no obvious signs of trauma.

Fettig never regained consciousness. He died June 19th at St.

Vincent Healthcare in Billings.

It was the first on-the-job death of a NorthWestern Energy employee since November, when a worker in Thompson Falls died of injuries from a fall, while clearing a downed tree.

NorthWestern spokeswoman Claudia Rapkoch says the company is conducting a review, to make sure all safety practices were followed at the Lockwood job site.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating.

Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-13-07 1211CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list