USPS mail carrier dies in Dallas while working route during excessive heat
The U.S. Postal Service confirmed one of its employees died while on mail route in a Dallas neighborhood, according to a report from Star-Telegram partner WFAA-TV.
The employee, identified as 66-year-old Eugene Gates Jr., died Tuesday in the Lakewood area of Dallas, WFAA reported.
His family told Fox 4 that Gates collapsed in a front yard and a resident tried to perform CPR.
Because of high temperatures and humidity, the heat index reached 115 in DFW on Tuesday.
His cause of death has not yet been confirmed, but in a Facebook post Wednesday by Kimetra Lewis, president of the Dallas branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers, she asked mail carriers to take precaution by drinking plenty of water and taking breaks to cool down.
“I am asking the public to watch out for your letter carrier, if you notice distress, please assist him/her. I am also asking the Postal Service to be understanding when a letter carrier needs additional time to complete their assignments,” Lewis said in the post.
Gates worked for the USPS for 36 years, according to Lewis.
“The Postal Service is deeply saddened by the loss of life suffered yesterday involving a Lakewood Post Office Letter Carrier. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time,” the USPS said in a statement.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth had issued an excessive heat warning for the Dallas-Fort Worth area Monday through 8 p.m. Wednesday. Temperatures hit 99 on Monday and 98 on Tuesday, but high humidity pushed heat indexes much higher.
“Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” said the NWS in the warning.
Lewis said some of Gates’ co-workers were frustrated and angry, according to WFAA.
Their shift start-time was changed from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. over the last few months, preventing them to get a head start to beat the heat.
After requests from employees and the National Association of Letter Carriers following Gates’ death, USPS management changed the shift time to begin at 7:30 again, Lewis said.
“I just want all letter carriers to think of their safety first,” Lewis told WFAA-TV.
Cloud cover and light rain dropped temperatures into the 80s on Wednesday, and highs are forecast to be in the low 90s on Thursday and Friday, according to the weather service. DFW’s first 100-degree days of the year are expected on Saturday and Sunday.
