A longtime Central Catholic High School teacher was identified as the bicyclist killed Tuesday after coming into contact with downed live power lines on a North Park trail.
Robert “Bob” Anderson, 63, of Mars taught physical education and health classes at the private Catholic high school for nearly 20 years, Central Catholic High School President Matthew J. Stoessel wrote in a letter Wednesday.
“Mr. Anderson was dedicated to the students entrusted to his care and the mission of Central Catholic,” said Stoessel, a school alum who graduated in 1995. “Everyone who knew him mourns his passing, as he was an integral member of our school’s community. I am certain that the Central Catholic community will join me in prayer as we collectively extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Anderson’s family and friends.”
First responders pronounced Anderson dead just before 11 p.m. on the trail, near the intersection at Pearce Mill Road and North Ridge Drive in McCandless, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said. Allegheny County Police are investigating.
Police said they were dispatched to the park’s Olympia Grove about 8:20 p.m. First responders found Anderson among the live wires but weren’t able to reach him until about 10:30 p.m., when Duquesne Light was able to cut the power to the wires.
Police said 911 was notified at 8:40 a.m. — about 12 hours before the bicyclist was pronounced dead — about downed electric wires smoking on the trail, officials said. Duquesne Light was notified 11 minutes later, police said.
“Duquesne Light indicated they would come out and resolve the issue,” county spokeswoman Abigail Gardner told TribLive on Wednesday afternoon. “We do not have the jurisdiction or authority … to cut power to lines. That is Duquesne Light’s responsibility and authority.”
County officials also aren’t sure what time Anderson came into contact with the lines, Gardner said. A jogger on the trail saw his body and called 911 about 8 p.m.
Allegheny County police and fire officials placed caution tape near the area where the wires crossed the trail and at the trail’s main entrance at Olympia Grove.
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“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident, and our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time,” said Hollie Geitner, a Duquesne Light spokesperson. “We are working closely with local emergency responders and park officials to investigate the incident.”
She said Anderson was electrocuted.
Duquesne Light said in a separate emailed statement Wednesday evening that it investigating “the timeline of events preceding and following this incident” when asked about the 12-hour delay in cutting power to the live wires.
“The lines in that area have been deenergized and cut away,” Geitner said in a separate sent earlier Wednesday. “Storm restoration continues throughout the region following Monday evening’s storms and the ongoing heat wave. Please avoid all downed wires.”
A Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission spokesman confirmed Wednesday the agency’s safety division is investigating “the cause and circumstances surrounding the downed power line and the utility’s handling of the situation.”
“The investigation into the death would be in the hands of local officials, who would have further information regarding that aspect of the incident,” PUC press secretary Nils Hagen-Frederiksen said Wednesday.
Duquesne Light said storms and intense heat on Monday caused more than 90,000 customers to lose power.
“DLC has received hundreds of downed wire reports across our service territory,” Spokeswoman Ashley Macik said. ” Safety hazards are our first priority when it comes to response and restoration, and we prioritize each of these reports according to risks to public safety, among other factors.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the county police tip line, 1-833-255-8477.