AEP Texas employee found dead in downtown Corpus Christi manhole

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A utility worker has died after first responders were called to an electrician-related incident while the employee was working in a manhole on Mestina Street near the Corpus Christi Cathedral, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

The Corpus Christi Fire Department said crews responded around 11:30 a.m. to reports of a possible electrical accident in the 600 block of Mestina Street. Crews treated the situation as a confined-space incident and called in additional technical rescue resources.

Assistant Fire Chief Tony Perez said all necessary precautions were taken to secure the area before rescuers entered the manhole. “When they went down, they found the employee deceased,” he said.

Officials confirmed the individual was a utility company worker and the only person in the manhole.

The worker was an employee of AEP Texas, according to a statement from the company.

“An AEP Texas employee suffered fatal injuries Tuesday morning following an incident in downtown Corpus Christi,” the company said. “We send our deepest condolences to the family of our employee and to our entire organization following this sad news.”

The company said the incident remains under investigation.

State Sen. Adam Hinojosa also responded to the incident, calling the loss tragic and highlighting the risks utility workers face each day to keep communities powered.

No further details have been released about the cause of the accident.

Nearby businesses, including the Corpus Christi Police Department headquarters, are reporting power outages, and crews expect the area to remain without electricity for an extended period.

Perez explained that confined-space work at ground level can be particularly dangerous and emphasized that the safety measures were followed during the rescue attempt.