Power Line Worker Who Plunged Into the Columbia River Passes Away

On Tuesday afternoon between 2:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., an Avista Power crew was working on the Hanford site where power lines stretch from Hanford to Franklin County in the Mattawa area across the Columbia River.

The worker tending to the non-electrified lines fell into the river and was taken to the hospital after being fetched by rescue workers from the Columbia.

The Benton County Coroner has confirmed the death of 44-year-old Cliff Johnson.

The investigation continues as to why he fell into the river.