Hoist Dam, built in 1916, was the site of the incident. (Photo courtesy of UPPCO)

NEGAUNEE– Hoist Dam in Negaunee Township is being investigated for a work related death that took place on Friday morning.

“Today at 11 a.m., Marquette County Sheriff’s Office Technical Rescue Unit 131 was dispatched for a confined rescue inside a penstock of the Hoist Powerhouse,” said the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office in a press release. “A contractor had to be extricated from inside the penstock and was later pronounced dead at the scene.”

Two contractors were working on apply a coating inside of the penstock, it is believed that their air monitors alerted them that conditions were unsafe and the two workers headed to the access hatch. One managed to get out and was taken to UPHS-Bell and is in stable condition, the other slid nearly 90 feet down the inclined pipe and did not escape.

“This is preliminary information and the investigation is ongoing,” said the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Marquette County Search and Rescue, Negaunee Township Fire Department, Marquette City Fire Department and UPHS-EMS.

The name of the deceased will be released pending the notification of the next of kin.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.