Sep 19, 2024
WELLINGTON, Kan. (KSNW) — Weeks after 20-year-old Wilson Price died while on the job at a power plant in Wellington, his mother is still left questioning if his death could have been prevented. Wilson's mother, Blakeley Price, said they are unable to move through their grief without knowing if her son's death could have been avoided. She said they've tried to gain clarity from city leaders in Wellington and have been stonewalled. Wilson died in early September after coming into contact with a charged piece of equipment at Wellington's power plant. His mother, Blakeley, said mourning has taken its toll. "It doesn't really get easier, you think it would, but it doesn't," said Blakeley. Wilson Price following graduation from Lineman College. Wilson Price (pictured right) on the job. Burying Wilson last week, she said, the family has been pleading with the city for answers about what led up to their son's death. She's worried about his friends getting hurt as they return to the job site. "They're terrified, they're worried for their safety too, they don't even want to work; I mean, would you, knowing that you'd be put in that position, where you could die and not be qualified to do the work," said Blakeley. Wilson has only been on the job since January. Blakeley questions whether Wilson had enough hours of training for the high-voltage work he was doing and whether he had the right equipment or guidance. These are all things that haunt the family daily. She said not knowing keeps them from providing Wilson peace. "We just want some answers. Seems like a lot of people know everything, and nobody will tell us anything, and it's our son's life, and we just want answers for him," said Blakeley. ‘Just the best kid’: Family mourns 20-year-old killed at Wellington power plant KSN took her questions to Wellington's City Manager, Jeff Porter. "A 20-year-old kid and a grieving mother, what would you say to her at this point, weeks without answers? What would you say to her as we wait for that investigation to be completed?" KSN's Derek Lytle asked. Porter paused for a period of time before answering. "I know that all loss of life is tragic, and we all want answers, and as a community, as a city, as his coworkers, we all desperately want those answers," he answered. The city brought in an outside firm to investigate, and Porter said their hands are tied until that is complete. He said if there is wrongdoing, they will make changes immediately, saying no one wins when an investigation lingers on. "Nobody's happy that this happened, nobody is thrilled that it's taking agencies and other folks to comb through data and reports and policies, we want to make sure we get to the heart of the manner and the best answers we can get, and those things take time," said Porter. KSN learned that there are several open investigations into his death, including the Kansas Department of Labor and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and those findings could take some time. KDOL shares that they do not have a timeframe for their investigation; however, OSHA's investigation must be completed within six months.
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