Officials: Worker electrocuted on crane at University construction site

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Safety officials are investigating a construction site near UNC-Charlotte after a worker was electrocuted on the job Monday afternoon.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials are trying to determine exactly what went wrong.

Charlotte Mecklenburg police said a construction worker with Adolphson and Peterson was using a crane-operated lift when the lift struck high-voltage power lines 40 feet in the air.

Duke Energy shut off power to the lines so Charlotte firefighters could bring the worker down.

Officials said the worker was operating the motorized lift alone while helping build the Circle University Apartments.

Officials are calling the death an accident that is still under investigation.

"Obviously the construction site was full of workers at that time, so as we go into the investigation, who saw it, who was nearby? What did you hear? What did you see?" said CMPD Capt. Todd Garrett.

Channel 9 talked to the vice president of the construction company who said he is on the way to the site.

The name of the victim has not been released.

WSOC