1 dead following electrocution in Island City
Published 1:47 pm Friday, July 24, 2026
ISLAND CITY — An electrocution in Island City on Friday, July 24, has left one person dead.
First responders with La Grande Rural Fire Protection District and La Grande Fire Department responded just before 11:30 p.m., according to La Grande Rural Fire Chief Brady Walters, for electrocution with a power line.
“It was clear the person was deceased already when we arrived and we weren’t able to access them until the power got shut off,” Walters said.
The man, whose identity has not been released, was still in a lift in the air when emergency personnel arrived. He was declared dead at the scene, according to Walters.
The fire departments responded with two fire engines, a ladder truck, an ambulance and a rescue truck.
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative also responded to the scene, according to Manager of Communications Shiraz Mukarram.
“OTEC crews responded alongside the La Grande first responders to an incident involving electrical contact in Island City,” Mukarram said. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected.”
The power was shut off just before noon, according to Walters, and by 12:40 p.m. the fire department was able to get the individual to the ground.
Walters said the Union County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.
More to come.