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photo by Brent Maze
Alabama Power officials watch emergency workers try to rescue an employee that fell of a small bridge off the dam.
‘We’re devastated’
35-year Alabama Power employee drowns in accident at Mitchell Dam
Published Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Photo by Brent Maze
Members of the Chilton County Special Operations Unit prepare to rescue a missing yesterday morning. The unit was dispatched to the scene at 10:22 a.m., and the victim was recovered at 11:43 a.m.
Family, friends and co-workers are mourning the loss of a veteran Alabama Power employee who drowned in an accident at Mitchell Dam yesterday.
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, who lived in Verbena, was a 35-year 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. He pastored West End Church of Christ in Clanton.
Information about services for Courtney will be announced later.
Photo by Brent Maze
Co-workers and friends of the victim console each other.
Authorities were called to the scene at 10:22 yesterday morning, and four divers from the Chilton County Sheriff’s Special Operations Unit found the victim’s body at 11:43 a.m.
Chilton County Deputy Coroner Awlahjaday Agee pronounced the victim dead at 12:18 p.m. Agee confirmed that the cause of death was drowning.
Verbena and East Chilton fire departments responded to the scene.
Alabama Power spokesperson Jan Ellis said officials 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.”
Ellis also said the company would 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.
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Comments
Posted by kudzupatch (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a long time friend of Robert and his family I am having a very hard time finding the words to express my feelings about losing such a wonderful person. His family and friends are in a state of shock and it is a huge loss to us and the community to lose such a good man. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts in prayers - I can't believe he is gone.
Posted by amp920 (anonymous) on July 23, 2008 at 5:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I taught Robert when he was a student at Verbena High School back in the early 1970's. I too am devastated to learn of his untimely passing. Even then, Robert was a fine man and someone I was proud to be associated with. My deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and the community.
Jack Riley
Posted by gmcgriff (anonymous) on July 23, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I went to school with Robert at Verbena and also worked
with him at Alabama Power. Robert was one of the finest
CHRISTIAN men I have ever known. I know he is walking the streets of GOLD. My prayers are with his family and the
crew at Mitchell Dam.
Posted by wrighto (anonymous) on July 23, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is truly one of the saddest days in my life. Bro. Courtney baptized me when I was 15 and continued being a mentor and someone that I looked up to throughout my life. He was there for my family through some tough times and never once hesitated when called upon. He was the minister at my wedding and friend when it seemed I was alone. I can truly say that Bro. Courtney "Practiced What He Preached!" I always look forward to coming back home and attending services at the church where I was taught to be a man. To Sis. Retha and the family, I send my heartfelt condolences and pray that God continue to bless and keep each and every one of you! This certainly will be one of the toughest trips back home.
Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on July 23, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We pray for the family, friends and congregants of Reverend Courtney. May God bless and comfort them with the peace only He can provide and the knowledge of a coming joyous reunion.
Posted by DMinister (anonymous) on July 23, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God, believe also in me". I am devastated to learn of the passing of my longtime friend and Brother in Christ. At this time of mourning, my heart goes out to Sis. Courtney and the family. This is a great loss to all who know and love Bro. Courtney. As a life-bone member of the Church of Christ where I grew up, Bro. Courtney fought the good fight. I can truly say that he did not just know about the Lord -- He knew the Lord. He will be greatly missed. ... Blessed are they who die in the Lord, we shall rejoice!
Alphonso Gill, Minister
Southern Heights Church of Christ
Miami, Florida
Posted by Traci (anonymous) on July 23, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends. May God give them the comfort and peace only he can give.
Posted by roxy123 (anonymous) on July 23, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bro.Courtney was a wonderful man.My brother never went to church,but he said that if he ever decided to go to church it would be with Bro.Courtney.He will be missed greatly.
Posted by danesmom (anonymous) on July 23, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To the family of Brother Robert Courtney, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I use the word Brother because he was my Brother in Christ.I grew up in Clanton and attended the West End Church of Christ as a child with Robert and his family. Robert was a true "Man of God". On several occasions I went back home and heard Robert preach, and his sincerity about the word of God was evident in the way he preached. 61/2 years ago when my husband was in the hospital in Montgomery, Robert made a trip to the hospital here to pray for my him, and after he passed away he came back to show his support by attending his funeral. When my sister passed away in March of 2007, again, Robert was there to support our family. He was a good, caring and compassionate man.
To Retha, the children,Mrs. Selena, Lena, Faye and Joey, I hope the memories of Robert and the Goodness he showed to others will help to comfort you during this difficult time and the days ahead. I do believe that Robert has received his well-deserved "Mansion, Robe and Crown". God Bless you all.
Your Sister in Christ
Iteria
Posted by sagill88 (anonymous) on July 24, 2008 at 1:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As the song says, "time is filled with swift transition"...I pray that the family and friends of Brother Courtney will have peace and comfort in this time and the future. The saints in heaven are rejoicing about how this brother got over and will be in his "mansion, new robe and a crown". Keep strong and pray without ceasing...Steve A Gill
Hillcrest church of Christ, Decatur GA
Posted by cdtatum (anonymous) on July 24, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was always a joy to go to Mitchell Dam and work with Robert. His Spirit, smile and kind words made my life better because he was a part of it. I will miss him. May god bless his family. Goose Tatum
Posted by campaholicsdp (anonymous) on July 24, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I worked with Robert at E.C. Gaston steam plant. He was a wonderful man, and a great co-worker. It was very evident that he was a Child of God (as I am) and never minded letting everyone else know. We rest assured that he is walking on the streets of Gold, when he is not sitting at the feet of the one who died for him.
We mourn for the wife, children, congregation, friends etc. that have had to say good-bye for a while. If he could say one thing to us, it would be that he is looking forward to seeing ALL of us come to join him in Heaven.
Our prayers are with the family.
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