Fiancée heartbroken after Aussie dad electrocuted before wedding
A young father and soon-to-be husband has died after a tragic workplace accident leaving behind his fiancée and their 16-month-old daughter.
David Outhwaite's devastated fiancée, Jodi Dunlop, said her partner was "sunshine in human form" and admits the news had left her "broken," it's been reported. The grieving mother said her partner "made the world and everyone around him better". They were just months away from marrying after getting engaged in December 2018.
Mr Outhwaite, a 36-year-old electrician, was working on a power pole at a private property in Nirimba, about 90km south of Perth, on Friday when the fatal accident occurred. The father was reportedly electrocuted. Police were called and found Mr Outhwaite unresponsive at about 2.35pm. The 36-year-old couldn’t be revived and was confirmed dead at the scene.
Worksafe and EnergySafety inspectors later examined the site to determine what happened following police investigations on Friday, it's been reported. WA EnergySafety director Saj Abdoolakhan extended his "deepest condolences" to the family.
"Information and findings so far indicate the electrician was working on a private power pole on the consumer’s property when this tragedy occurred," he said, Perth Now reported. "It appears that the installation was still energised with live electricity at the time. Our investigation is focused on ascertaining what caused the accident to help prevent another similar tragedy in the future."
Local community heartbroken after dad's death
Fellow electrician and football coach Owen McLarty told Nine News he heard someone had died and started calling electricians he knew in the area. He said Mr Outhwaite didn't respond and he had a "horrible feeling". The news made him feel "sad", he said, adding "bit of an empty sick feeling in your guts I suppose."
"He was very vocal around the footy club and in the ressies he actually ended up captaining a few games in the season, from that view he's a respected leader — and just a genuine person," he said of his friend.
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In a post on Facebook, one person described the Aussie dad as "the single most caring, passionate, energetic, supportive, and innovative man".
"The world is a much lesser place without you Dave," they wrote. "It has been such a joy to watch you shine so bright as a partner to Jodi and a father to Octavia."
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