A Keene State College employee died Saturday, April 19, near the Owl’s Athletic complex. The Keene Fire Department confirmed 46 year-old Nate DeMond was electrocuted by a hanging power line near Martell Court in Keene.
Officials said when emergency responders reached the scene, the male had already died.
Keene Fire units arrived to the area near the Owls Stadium around 2:20 p.m. and saw an adult male near a high voltage line. They also confirmed there was an active brush fire near the body. Crews were unable to safely reach the patient at first because he was close to high voltage, stated a press release by the Keene Fire Department.
Brian Cantore / Photo Editor
A campus alert notification by KSC President Anne E. Huot stated the accident, “appears to have occurred while he [DeMond] was working outdoors on campus, as part of our Physical Plant staff.”
Campus Safety Director Amanda Guthorn said KSC officers responded to the scene of the accident and confirmed that no students were injured.
Officials said when they found out about the incident the Fire Department dispatch notified Public Services of New Hampshire (PSNH). At press time, The Equinox has not been able to reach anyone from PSNH for comment.
Residents of Keene stated they experienced a power cut around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. KSC junior and resident of Monadnock Court Olivia Chichia said her home had no electricity that afternoon. “The power went down, but we didn’t know why, we didn’t call the Public Services either,” Chichia said.
KPD Lieutenant Todd Lawrence said the incident remains under investigation by the Keene Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit, KPD, New Hampshire Medical Examiner and the New Hampshire Fire Marshal.
Brian Cantore / Photo Editor
KSC senior and softball player Ellissa Coburn was at the Owls Stadium when the incident occurred. “We didn’t see anything because we were playing, but we found out when the first game ended,” Coburn stated. She said her coach gathered the players, parents and public on the field and informed them about the incident. “The Athletics director [John Ratliff] had approached our coach and told him what happened. When he told us, everyone was really touched,” Coburn said.
Coburn said the second softball game against the University of Southern Maine scheduled for Saturday was postponed.
DeMond was a member of the Grounds crew and had worked for the college for 14 years. According to the Keene State College website, DeMond was a KSC alumni -class of 2009.-
President Anne E. Huot expressed her condolences through an email. “Speaking on behalf of the College, we extend our deepest condolences to Nate’s [DeMond] family and friends during this very difficult time,” read a campus-wide notification by the president. Huot stated college officials will share information about planned services to remember Nate with the campus later on.
Brian Cantore / Photo Editor
Bud Winsor, Assistant Director of Physical Plant stated, “Nate was an amazing employee and person – he was truly one of a million. It is hard to imagine how we will move forward without him. Nate will be greatly missed.”
Counselors are available to assist employees starting at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 21.
More information will be provided when available.
Karina Barriga Albring can be contacted at kbarriga@keene-equinox.com