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A Bastrop man died early Friday after being fatally shocked atop an electrical transformer in Elgin, according to city officials.
Gary W. Ferguson, 47, was found dead about 1:20 a.m. Aug. 1 on a transformer platform in the 300 block of East First Street. Officers with the Elgin Police Department responded to a report of a possible electrocution and located Ferguson’s body on top of the equipment, the city said in a release.
Investigators revealed Ferguson may have been attempting to strip copper wire from the transformer at the time of his death, based on tools discovered nearby. Police did not specify what kind of tools were found.
“Stealing copper from electrical transmitters, substations or utility infrastructure is unfortunately not uncommon,” said Stacey Osborne, acting community services director. “These are especially common in areas where copper prices are high.”
Local emergency responders and Oncor Electric assisted in securing the area and recovering Ferguson’s body. The case remains under investigation, though officials said no further updates are expected.
According to Osborne, Ferguson’s death is the second local fatality this year that occurred “in the commission of a crime that was not intended to cause death.”
On Feb. 11, former Elgin financial director Charles Cunningham, 82, and his wife Sirley, 73, were found dead in an apparent murder- suicide at their home.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact Sgt. Cameron Jonse at 512-285-5757 or [email protected].
