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photo by Brent Maze
Emergency workers attempt to rescue an Alabama Power worker at Mitchell Dam this morning.
Drowning victim identified
Originally published 11:26 a.m., July 22, 2008
Updated 04:02 p.m., July 22, 2008
Authorities have recovered the drowning victim of an accident at Alabama Power's Mitchell Dam.
Alabama Power announced that Robert Lynn Courtney, 52, a hydro journeyman at Mitchell Dam, died Tuesday morning in a tragic accident at the hydro generating plant near Verbena.
Courtney was a 35-year veteran employee of Alabama Power and had worked at Mitchell for 20 years. He is survived by his wife Retha, their children and other family members.
Services for Mr. Courtney will be announced later.
Authorities were called to the scene at 10:22 this morning. Four divers from the Chilton County Sheriff's Special Operations Unit found the victim's body at 11:43 a.m. today.
Verbena and East Chilton fire departments responded to the scene.
Alabama Power spokesperson Jan Ellis said they have launched a full investigation into the incident.
"We are aware of an employee fatality at Mitchell Dam, and in deference to the family please allow us to investigate the incident," Ellis said. "We are still trying to determine what happened. Anytime there is a loss in our Alabama Power family, our employees are devastated. The family of the employee has been notified and our thoughts and prayers are with them."
She also said that they will be cooperating with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration during the investigation.
Mitchell Dam is located on the Coosa River and is on the border of Chilton and Coosa counties. The dam was not generating electricity at the time of the incident.
Continue to check www.clantonadvertiser.com and tomorrow's print edition for more details.
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Comments
Posted by danwright (Dan Wright) on July 22, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers and thoughts are with this family during this unfortunate and trying time.
Posted by mimisnumber1 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Family, friends and co-workers of the victim who drowned today at Lake Mitchell. But, I would like to this oppornity to point out the need for the Sheriff Department “Special Operations Unit.” I don’t think you can convince the family, friends and co-workers of the victim that there is no need for our “FIRETRUCK”, the special operations truck has already been used 6 times this year. The Special Operations Truck holds all of the following supplies, dive team equipment; swat team equipment, major crime scene equipment, evidence equipment, generators for lighting, ref. for storing evidence, there is an office inside with radios for communication. The point is this one truck can haul all of this equipment and 8 deputies that are needed at a scene. This would have normally taken 4 other vehicles and a longer response time. I don’t think that the citizens of Chilton County realize just how much goes on in our County and how often we have major crime issues. A lot of what goes on in Chilton County is not published in our papers because they’d rather you not know about what is going on. If it wasn’t for the readiness of our 4 officers and the “Special Operations Truck” the scene today may have been a whole lot worse then what it was. Luckily the family didn’t have to witness the divers retrieving their loved one from the river. If we had not had our own dive team the county would have had to call an outside dive team and thank of that response time. The people who are critisizing this department need to be praying for our Sheriff’s Department, our Volunteer Fire Fighters, Sheriff Kevin Davis and the Their Family’s. Because these are the people who are out their responding to our call for help and believe me someday YOU will need help. God Bless You Everyone. And thank you to our Sheriff and Deputies.
Posted by poohbear94 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't imagine the pain of the family and friends who lost their loved one today. I would also like to comment on the comment that was posted by mimisnumber1. I sit here and I think to myself that someone will lay down tonight without their husband, dad, brother, uncle, friend or cousin and all you can mainly talk about in your comment is "The Sheriff's Dept." This news story was not the opportunity to bring up the Special Operations Unit. And why would you say that the scene today could have been a lot worse if it wasn't for those officers. I truly thank those officers and I thank God for protecting them during this search but how much worse could it be? "My GOD, a man is dead!" My heart and prayers goes out to this family today and for many days to come.
Posted by mimisnumber1 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
poohbear94-I didn't realize I needed to speculate I was trying not to be graphic for the family’s sake. If it wasn't for the Sheriff's Dept. prompt response and training the family could have had to watch the dive team drag their loved one from the waters. I believe that could have been a lot worse for a family who is already grieving.
About 12 years ago I witness my friend drown at Lay Dam and without a dive team it took 2-3 hours of the family grieving, crying and holding on to hope that their loved one would be saved. I should not have to say anymore........You don't understand until it has happened to you & your family. I hope that there is never another tragedy like this.
Posted by CONCERNEDPATRON (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
THIS COMMENT SECTION SHOULD BE USED FOR POSTINGS FOR THE FAMILY MEMBERS. THE OPINIONS ABOUT THE SHERIFFS DEPT. AND WHAT THEY SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO WOULD BE BEST HANDLED SOMEWHERE ELSE. THE FAMILY MEMBERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SEE ARGUMENTS ABOUT THEIR LOVED ONES POSTED.
Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I couldn't agree more. I thought that earlier comment was utterly inappropriate and in absolute bad taste. May God be with the family as they mourne their loved one.
Posted by zeta4life95 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have been following this story since I first heard the devastating news that my uncle was dead. I live out of town, so it's hard for me to accept that my uncle is gone forever. I know he is heaven bound. He was such a good man. I ask God to watch over my aunt and cousins and be with them because I too know how it feels to lose not just a father, but a mother too. If you knew him or of him, just post some words on his behalf. Everything does happen for a reason, and even good people die. I just wished I could have spoken with him and told him I love you.
Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
May God bless and comfort the family and friends of Mr. Courtney during this time of sorrow and loss.
Posted by UAEng (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Courtney for the past three or four years. Mr. Courtney was a caring person that always put others before him. I am saddened by his death, but I know without a doubt that he is in Heaven tonight. My prayers go out to his family. As for the first poster you should be ashamed. Your post was neither necessary nor appropriate.
Posted by UAEng (anonymous) on July 23, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry I meant the second poster.
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