PDF: EPB statement

An EPB contract worker was shocked Tuesday by some sort of electrical component while installing fiber-optic cable in East Ridge, officials said.

The accident happened Tuesday afternoon outside the Lomenaque Apartments on Ringgold Road, East Ridge public safety officials said. The worker, identified as Jessie Steele of Chattanooga, was listed in critical condition Wednesday at Erlanger hospital, said Officer Eric Hopkins, spokesman for East Ridge police.

“We aren’t sure exactly what shocked him,” Officer Hopkins said. “He was working in a transformer in a box on the ground. ... Somehow he was shocked.”

Officer Hopkins said Mr. Steele was running a rope through the electric transformer box that later would be used to pull fiber-optic cable through. East Ridge will be the first municipality in Hamilton County completely wired for EPB’s so-called fiber-to-home project.

“Our foremost concern right now is for Jessie and his family,” EPB President and CEO Harold DePriest said in a statement. “We know he will have a difficult road ahead, and we stand ready to encourage him in his recovery.”