Student, 19, dies at electrical lineman college in Northern California after fall from pole
A 19-year-old man died Monday at a lineman college campus in Northern California after he fell from a utility pole that “failed” during a training session, police said.
The man’s death occurred at the Northwest Lineman College campus in Oroville, just northeast of Oroville Municipal Airport. The man who died was training to become a lineman and was on the utility pole, which “ultimately failed, causing the victim to fall along with” the pole, the Oroville Police Department announced Monday afternoon in a news release.
Carlos Mendoza, originally from Southern California, was the student who died at the lineman college, according to a GoFundMe page created by Mireya Macias on behalf of the student’s parents, Karla and Sergio Mendoza.
The young man graduated from Victor Valley High School last year and decided to enroll at Northwest Lineman College. Macias said he was just one week short of completing his program at the college when he died.
“Carlos was filled with anticipation for his future in this career path,” Macias wrote in the fundraising webpage. “He was cherished as a son, grandson, nephew, brother and friend. His sudden loss has left everyone devastated.”
Macias created the online fundraiser to help the Mendoza’s family as they make funeral arrangements.
Police said emergency first responders performed life-saving measures, but the student died from his injuries at the scene.
The student’s death occurred during regular teaching hours at the lineman college. Police officials called for Butte County Sheriff’s Office chaplains to offer counseling services to the students, including those who witnessed the incident.
The Police Department did not release any further details about the man’s death or its investigation, which it said was “ongoing.”
The Northwest Lineman campus is home to an electrical line program, where students learn how to safely construct, maintain and operate the power grid while working with heavy equipment, power lines and bucket trucks, according to the college’s website.
Northwest Lineman College has four total campuses in California, Idaho, Texas and Florida.
This story was originally published March 25, 2024 at 7:07 PM.
