Injured Lineman Released From Hospital

A Cookeville Electric Department employee has left the hospital after suffering injuries on the job Friday morning.

Cookeville Electric Department Director Tony Peek said an arc flash injured fourth year apprentice lineman Will Dunson while he was performing maintenance work on a utility pole near the intersection of Jackson Street and Walnut Avenue.

“From our initial investigation, Will was wearing all of his protective equipment that I’m sure reduced the affects of his injuries,” Peek said.

Peek said the arc flash occurred when a drill made contact between an energized line and a ground.

“It’s just a flash where there’s a discharge of electricity when an energized piece of equipment makes contact with a grounding piece of equipment,” Cookeville Electric Department Director Tony Peek said.

Dunson had to be airlifted to Vanderbilt Medical Center and he was released from the hospital this afternoon.