ATLANTA, GA. (WANF/Gray News) – A lineman working in Griffin, Georgia, died Wednesday morning after an equipment malfunction, according to the police department. Another was seriously injured.

Emergency officials were called to respond to an area near the intersection of Spalding and Little streets, where they said Eric Weems died at the scene.

According to the statement of city officials, the other lineman Trent Granger was also hospitalized with serious injuries.

The City of Griffin featured Weems in a video released. on Facebook in 2020. In it, he explains that he has been a lineman for the city for more than 10 years.

“I really love my job. I go out and do the things I love. I go out, I work with electricity, and I work with a bunch of guys just like me… I help others and I get paid for it. You can’t beat him,” Weems said in the video.

The fallen lineman explained that being a lineman can be challenging and each job is like a puzzle they have to solve.

While he enjoys the technical side and detail-oriented side of the job, he said there is nothing better than helping a family regain strength and the satisfaction of the gratitude they express.

Weems was part of a mutual aid team that went to the North Carolina coast devastated by Hurricane Florence in 2018.

He said it was gratifying to be a part of it, despite the physical and mental demands of working 16 hours a day.

“You can’t buy that feeling; that’s a big reason why I do what I do,” Weems said.

In the City of Griffin’s video, Weems talked about the dangers associated with the job and explained that they should try to be as safe as possible.

“After doing this for so long, it’s almost become second nature,” he said. “But you have to remind yourself to pay attention to some things because every situation can be different. What worked yesterday may not work today.”

It is unclear what equipment malfunctioned on the day of Weems’ death or why the malfunction occurred.

“Please keep the Griffin officers and their families in your prayers at this time,” police said in a statement.

Copyright 2024 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. WANF contributed to this report.