ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — A contractor with Duke Energy fell 50 feet onto a concrete area at the base of Oxford Dam Wednesday, first responders said.
The dam sits on the Catawba River in Catawba and Alexander counties.
Officials said crews used a large crane to hoist him to a platform above the dam where rescuers reached him by boat and took him to the hospital.
Duke Energy operates the dam. The utility has been working on the dam’s spillway since last summer. The project is expected to wrap in December 2027.
Duke Energy said work on the dam has been paused. Channel 9’s Dave Faherty obtained the following statement from the utility Thursday morning:
“Yesterday afternoon, while performing work on Oxford Dam, a contractor fell. Emergency personnel administered immediate care, and the worker was transported to a medical facility. Work on the dam has been paused.
The safety of our employees, contractors and communities is our top priority at Duke Energy. We take safety seriously and remain focused on identifying hazards, managing risks and ensuring work is performed safely.”
Channel 9 is asking Duke for more information about the worker’s condition.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.