FAIRFIELD – A community is mourning the loss of 28-year-old Lucas Fowler, a lineman for Sun River Electric Cooperative, who passed away Friday, August 9, 2024.

Fowler was working on a single-phase power line south of Conrad when the pole fell and he was killed.

Fowler joined the team just a few weeks ago, on July 15th.

“This is a very sad time for Sun River Electric,” said Brad Bauman, General Manager and CEO of Sun River Electric Cooperative, Inc.

“When our employees come to work every morning, it is our duty to try to get them home that evening in a better condition than they found themselves in,” Bauman said. “That did not happen with Lucas Fowler on Friday.”

Sun River Electric Cooperative is working to overcome this tragedy together, as a company and as a community.

“You know, we’re going to give our employees the opportunity to get counseling,” Bauman said. “We’re going to work with them over the next period to give them every opportunity to talk about it, to share their feelings about it and to do our best to take care of them.”

The tragedy is a harsh reminder of the dangers of this profession.

“We’re wounded, but we’re going to get through this,” Bauman said. “God bless all the linemen. You know, like I said, it’s a brotherhood, and that goes to everyone, not just us.”

(1ST REPORT, 11 AUGUST) Sun River Electric Cooperative announced on Saturday, August 10, 2024, that an employee died Friday morning.

The worker was identified as 28-year-old Lucas Fowler.

The cooperative stated that the fitter died in an “accident at work”. No further details have been released.

Sun River Electric Cooperative, based in Fairfield, said an investigation is underway.

We will inform you as soon as we receive further information.