DATE: 10/3/25
DATE OF INCIDENT: 10/3/25
TIME OF INCIDENT: Around 11:00 AM
LOCATION OF INCIDENT: Hoist Powerhouse, Negaunee Township
COMPLAINT NUMBER: 2515200469
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a work related death of a contractor that occurred at that Upper Peninsula Power Company’s Hoist Powerhouse area in Negaunee Township.
Today at around 11 :00 AM, Marquette County Sheriffs Office-Technical Rescue Unit 131 was dispatched for a confined space rescue inside a penstock of the Hoist Powerhouse. A contractor had to be extracted from inside the penstock and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
It appears that two contractors were working on applying a coating inside of the penstock. It is believed they were notified by their air monitor(s) that the conditions were unsafe and started moving toward the access hatch. One of the contractors was able to make it out to the access hatch and the other slid around 85 feet down the inclined pipe/penstock. The first contractor that made it out was transported to UPHS-Bell and is in stable condition.
This is preliminary information and the investigation is ongoing. The Sheriffs Office Technical Rescue Unit was assisted at the scene by Marquette County Search and Rescue, Negaunee Township Fire Department, Marquette City Fire Department, and UPHS-EMS. The name of the decedent is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
MARQUETTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE TIP LINE:
906-225•8441
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
