‘Incredible ... son, brother and friend’: Fundraiser for Kansas lineman killed in workplace accident

A fundraiser has been set up to help the family of a 20-year-old Wellington lineman who died Wednesday in a workplace accident.

Wilson Price started with the city’s electric distribution department as an apprentice linemen in January 2024. He quickly became a valued team member, according to a news release sent out by the city on Friday.

“His coworkers admired his incredible attitude and the joy he brought to every job site, a testament to his positive impact on the department,” the release says.

City manager Jeff Porter said that Price “came to work every day with enthusiasm, curiosity, and pride; the immeasurable grief of his loss is shared by his family, friends, and colleagues.”

Price died instantly after coming in contact with an energized piece of equipment at the city’s power plant substation, the GoFundMe says. He was part of a crew doing maintenance on wildlife guarding equipment when the accident happened around 9:20 a.m. Wednesday.

“Wilson was loved and cherished by many, and he was called home what feels like far too soon,” the GoFundMe says. “He was an incredible, son, brother and friend to everyone. There will forever be a hole in all our hearts, as it was a privilege to know, love, and be loved by Wilson.”

The fundraiser can be found at shorturl.at/RaIG7.