CATALUA, Calif. – The family of a guy from Benicia who died while working out of state want to know what happened.
They are even more sad because they don’t know what happened to him.
“He’s only fifty.” We were going to have a great future. Jenny Olver said, “I know this happens, but it shouldn’t have.” It’s hard for her to figure out how her husband, Mike Olver, died while working at an Arizona power plant as a valve mechanic.
In the afternoon of November 7, she learned that her husband had been hurt in an accident at the APS Redhawk Power Plant, which is about an hour west of Phoenix. But after a few hours, she found out that he had died.
“I was just in utter disbelief, utter shock that this even happened,” Jenny said. It was the next morning when daughters Fallon and Brianna got to the power plant.
“We hung out outside and drove around the plant a bit.” Someone called me to say, “We’re so sorry.” Lawyers are involved. Brainy said, “We can’t talk.” Olver worked in Benicia for Bay Valve.
His family said that the business had sent him to work for Arizona Public Service for ten days on a job.
In a letter, APS said the following:
It breaks our hearts to hear about the death of a worker at the Redhawk Power Plant… There is a study going on. At APS, we will always put the safety of our customers and workers first.
“I know he fell.” He may have fallen, but I don’t know why or how. Jenny said, “I don’t know what could have been done to stop it.”
Family members said Olver was a skilled mechanic who had worked in the field for more than 20 years. They said he was very careful about safety.
Fallon showed off the new tattoo she got on her arm to honor her dad and said, “Right here is my dad’s signature.” This is his name written on it. This was signed the day he died.”
He worked on his house and played with his pet cat in videos that his family shared. Brianna said that her dad likes sports, beer, and his family.
Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday. His family is going to have a party to honor him.
“We were just getting married, and we had two beautiful daughters and grandchildren.” Jenn said, “It was time to enjoy our life.”
APS said that the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health is looking into it, but they couldn’t say when it would be done.
Mike Olver’s family has planned a memorial service for him for Wednesday, November 20, at 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall in downtown Benicia.
