Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published May 22, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 22, 2007 at 3:16 PM

E-mail article     Print view

Worker killed by high-voltage line at Wild Waves

David Kessler Jr. was often requested by companies because of his skill repairing fiber optics...n inherently dangerous job because...

Seattle Times staff reporter

David Kessler Jr. was often requested by companies because of his skill repairing fiber optics — an inherently dangerous job because of nearby high-voltage lines.

On Monday, Kessler, 28, of Marysville, was killed at Wild Waves water park in Federal Way. And Kessler's co-worker, Steve Uplinger, 19, of Snohomish, was seriously burned after they struck a 7,200-volt power line.

"Everything was going normal, and it just was a simple mistake," said Mark Knapp, vice president of Metzker Communications in Everett, their employer. "It's just that easy ... we take that chance every time we get into a lift."

Kessler and Uplinger had been working at the water park the past three weeks, retrofitting fiber-optic lines before the park's June 9 opening. They were in a cherry-picker-type lift when it struck a live Puget Sound Energy line. Kessler died almost immediately.

Uplinger was listed in satisfactory condition at Harborview Medical Center this morning. The Snohomish High School graduate is a part-time employee and is in his last semester at Everett Community College, where he's studying to be a computer-network administrator.

For six years, Kessler was part of the crew of Snohomish County natives who worked at Metzker Communications.

When he graduated from Marysville-Pilchuck High School, where he played soccer and football, he started working on fiber-optic lines. "He was our foreman, our lead technician. He installed communication lines, voice and data," Knapp said.

Kessler, a journeyman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, was "highly recommended" by customers of the company, Knapp said. His biggest jobs were at the Tulalip Casino, Fort Lewis and Home Depot.

Everybody wanted him working for them, Knapp said, and was the best in the trade.

Kessler is survived by his wife, a 10-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter. "I don't think he ever made a mistake. He just had his first traffic ticket this year," Knapp said. "He was just a good kid."

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan

Flood fears dampen business, home sales

Nicole Brodeur: Homeless woman bent on giving

Chuckanut Drive to be closed up to a week

Everett Symphony may cancel rest of season after holiday shows

Advertising

Video

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle

Marketplace

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

nwautos

Less is more: Group rides, good gas mileage have led to a scooter swarm in Seattlenew
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising