CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A non-profit organization that supports line workers and their families is collecting donations after the death of an AEP lineman in West Virginia last week.
Robbie Key, 40, of Mount Lookout, died on the job Friday night while helping with restorations in Raleigh County. It happened in the community of Bolt.
His body was escorted from the state Medical Examiner’s Office in Charleston Tuesday afternoon by a number of line trucks on U.S. Route 60 to U.S. Route 19 at Hico and then on to Waters Funeral Home in Summersville.
AEP has not released any information about the lineman or what caused his death, but officials with the LineLife Foundation posted photos on their Facebook page of Key and his two kids.
The first part of the post said, “We lost one of our AEP lineman this week here in WV. Robbie Key. He left behind his wife & high school sweetheart – and his 2 children.”
Anne Marie Olivieri, president of LineLife, told MetroNews Key was a family man who coached youth sports.
“He was very well loved by his community. He coached football and wrestling and was all-in-all a good person from all the comments I got,” Olivieri said.
Olivieri said Key’s wife may not have financial assistance for months. She said 100 percent of the donations they collect will go directly to the family immediately.
“The time frame is from weeks to months from now where she’ll hopefully get support from AEP. It’s the beginning time where she’s actually overwhelmed and having to plan for a funeral and pay for a funeral. That’s where we come in and try to take the burden off,” she said.
LineLife does not make donors pay any fees, Olivieri said.
In LineLife’s photos, Key is pictured with his son and daughter. His son is dressed in a hard hat and appears to be learning about the trade with his dad.
Olivieri said it’s a very family-oriented line of work.
“We try to get the kids involved and knowing what these guys do and how these light switches don’t come on automatically,” she said.
Being a lineman is a tough job that could result in a number of accidents, Olivieri said.
“Men that have a contact with a wire and get burnt up, sometimes causing death. We’ve had drownings in this industry,” she said. “Safety is number one, but sometimes you can’t avoid.”
Olivieri said the trade can be “very unforgiving” just like what happened to Key.
“We have an accident every week and we lose one every 12-13 days (nationwide),” she said.
MetroNews reached out to AEP about Friday’s death but was not provided any further information.
“Out of respect for family and coworkers, no further details are available at this time,” said AEP spokesperson Phil Moye.
To donate, visit www.linelifefoundation.com, hit the “donate” button and write “Keys” in the Notes Section.
Donors can also buy custom made T-shirts that read “Robbie Key Always Remembered.”