Four NC linemen killed during National Work Zone Awareness week

On April 24, four lineworkers were killed when a dump truck barreled through their work zone in Eden. Another three lineworkers were injured. Two of the linemen on site that day were cousins, with one perishing at the scene while the other was airlifted in critical condition.

In 2022, 891 Americans died in work zones. Every 5 days, there is an accident involving a lineworker. Every 2 weeks, a lineman dies from a work related incident.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

NC corrections officer killed by lightning strike while fishing

The day before the tragic crash in Eden, 39-year-old Santonio Catoe was fishing with his 9-year-old son and others near Jacksonville. Just after dark, Catoe was struck by lightning and thrown from his boat. A member of the fishing party quickly pulled him back into the vessel but the young father never regained consciousness.

This was the first lightning fatality documented in the US in 2025. According to the Lightning Safety Council, NC ranks 4th in the number of lightning strike deaths in the last decade.

In 2023, NC ranked 7th in homeowners’ insurance lightning losses.