Cleanup and damage assessment work continues in several western North Carolina counties after Monday’s strong storms and tornadoes.
One person died this morning during that cleanup work. A 31-year-old tree service contractor for a utility company was killed early Wednesday morning while working to clear a tree from a power line in Alexander County. The worker was crushed when the tree snapped back and fell on him.
Press Releases
A line of strong storms moved across North Carolina Monday afternoon and evening devastating a regional airport, damaging dozens of homes, toppling trees, closing roads and leaving several western North Carolina communities without power.
“While this band of storms brought high wind, rains and some damage, we’re fortunate that we’ve had no reports of serious injuries or loss of life,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Today, communities are surveying the damage and beginning the cleanup, and our state experts stand ready to help however needed.”
WHAT: Correction Enterprises Manager Veronica Darden and Correctional Officer Justin Smith’s Memorial Services
WHERE: Floyd L. Robinson Auditorium
Burnim Fine Arts Center
Elizabeth City State University
Fine Arts Way, Elizabeth City, NC
(*Media staging area next to the Thorpe Administration Building, Administration Way)
WHAT: Correction Enterprises Manager Veronica Darden and Correctional Officer Justin Smith’s Memorial Services
WHERE: Floyd L. Robinson Auditorium
Burnim Fine Arts Center
Elizabeth City State University
Fine Arts Way, Elizabeth City, NC
*Two media staging areas have been established:
Death row inmate Terry Ball, 59, died this morning of natural causes at Central Prison.
Ball was convicted in Beaufort County and sentenced to death in February 1994 for first-degree murder of Laura Krantz. He was also convicted of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, two counts of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and first-degree burglary.
Correctional Officer George Midgett, who was injured in the Oct. 12 failed inmate escape attempt at Pasquotank Correctional Institution, was released from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Tuesday night.
Pasquotank Correctional Institution remains on lockdown after prison staff stopped an inmate escape attempt on Oct. 12 that resulted in the deaths of two employees.
Correctional Officer Justin Smith and Correction Enterprises Manager Veronica Darden were killed by inmates in the escape attempt. Ten other prison employees were injured. Correctional Officer Wendy Shannon, Correctional Officer George Midgett and maintenance worker Geoffrey Howe remain at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for treatment for injuries suffered during the failed escape attempt.
Two prison employees were killed and several others injured in an incident this afternoon at Pasquotank Correctional Institution in Elizabeth City.
Gov. Roy Cooper shared the following statement on the deaths of employees at Pasquotank Correctional Institution:
"Those who work in our prisons do a difficult and demanding job that is critical to our safety. We're grateful to these fallen prison employees for their service, and we offer our condolences to their families, friends, coworkers and community on this tragic loss."
STATEMENT FROM PUBLIC SAFETY SECRETARY ERIK A. HOOKS
The DPS family is devastated by the tragic events that took place at Pasquotank Correctional Institution. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and co-workers of the employees who lost their lives in service to the State. We will do everything we can to support their families during this difficult time. I want to thank law enforcement and emergency responders for their assistance, and we will do everything we can to assist the investigation.