ODEM, Tx — An electrical contractor was electrocuted Thursday morning at the little league field in Odem and has been transported by Halo Flight in serious condition.
Odem Mayor David Maldonado, who posted about the incident on Facebook and spoke with KRIS 6 News, said crews had been working on a multi-week project to upgrade the lighting at the complex when the accident occurred.
According to Maldonado, workers were digging at the site when they struck a water line. A crew was called out to repair the leak, and once that work was complete, the electrical contractor returned to the job.
That's when the accident happened. According to Maldonado, a maintenance employee on scene said the contractor came into contact with an electrical panel while standing in water.
A San Patricio County Sheriff's Office deputy who was already stationed in Odem was first on the scene and immediately began performing CPR on the unresponsive man. Patrol sergeants working the school district also responded, and an AED was brought from the school. Call notes indicated the man had shallow breathing when deputies arrived and Taft EMS was dispatched.
Taft EMS responded from approximately 15 miles away.
San Patricio County Sheriff Oscar Rivera credited his deputies' rapid response with helping save the man's life.
"It's very important that we have a quick response and they make an effort to save a life," Rivera said. "To maintain someone's life until EMS can arrive — this is a good example. EMS came from 15 miles away. I'm proud of these boys and proud that even the school deputies came out to assist as well."
Rivera noted the response reflects his office's ongoing commitment to the Odem community amid scrutiny over law enforcement presence in the city.
"We have a lot of controversy going on in Odem about the response and ability of law enforcement in Odem," Rivera said. "We make an extra effort to have a deputy in Odem at all times and have two deputies at the school every day. They have the ability to jump in a car and respond when needed."
The lighting project is part of an economic development initiative for the city, according to Maldonado.
