Four Eversource workers were injured yesterday during what could have been an explosion at a worksite in New Bedford, Massachusetts. According to WCVB, the incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. near 1457 East Rodney French Boulevard as the workers were to secure power to a transformer and were conducting service at a neighboring property. An Eversource spokesperson remarked that there was an "incident involving a piece of equipment."
The response to the scene included the New Bedford Fire Department, which has stated that caution tape was situated around a large utility cabinet following the possible explosion. "Reports from other onsite Eversource crews stated that the incident occurred while workers were confirming power to a transformer was secure to conduct service at an adjacent property," the fire department conveyed, as detailed by Turn to 10. The impact of the incident briefly disrupted electricity to approximately 1,347 customers, though power has been restored.
Regarding the condition of the workers, two were initially transported to St. Luke's Hospital, and two others to Rhode Island Hospital. One of the workers initially at St. Luke's was later transferred to Rhode Island Hospital. New Bedford Fire Chief Brian Medeiros did not immediately disclose the nature of the workers' injuries, nor their current conditions following the event.
Eversource, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the New Bedford Fire Department are all actively involved to precisely determine what happened. One worker has been released from the hospital, but the status of the remaining three is presently unknown.
