Electrician’s death to be investigated

Monday, Oct. 7, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

A state agency is conducting an investigation into the death of Nevada Power Co. electrician William Skelton.

Skelton, 27, died about 9 a.m. Sept. 27 while working on an underground power line near University Avenue and Brussels Road.

Jimmie Garrett, district manager for the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement Section, said it could take weeks or even months before the investigation is completed.

"It depends on how long it takes for us to gather the information," he said.

Nevada Power spokesman Tom Henley said Skelton was working on a de-energized underground, 7,200-volt power line when it became re-energized.

Safety features shut down power to UNLV after the accident, blacking out portions of the university. The dining commons, student health services and residence halls reportedly lost power temporarily.

Clark County Fire Department emergency units responded to the accident, and Skelton was taken to Columbia Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Henley said there has been one other death in the company since 1988.