OSHA investigating June death of electrician at Mizzou’s football stadium
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the June death of an electrician who died while working on the University of Missouri’s Memorial Stadium renovation project.
Corey Sooter, 44, died on June 10 while working at Memorial Stadium. He was a foreman for BK2 Electrical and Design and was an electrical contractor working on the project.
Records obtained by ABC 17 News from the Columbia Fire Department show first responders were dispatched at 9:05 a.m. and arrived at Faurot Field five minutes later, where they met with University of Missouri medics who were treating Sooter.
According to the incident report, firefighters used a hot stick to check the electrical wiring and determined it was still energized. CFD listed Sooter's cause of death as electrocution.
An OSHA inspection of BK2 Electrical & Design opened June 11, according to the agency’s inspection records, and remains ongoing.
"The University of Missouri community is deeply saddened by the passing of Corey Sooter. Our thoughts and prayers are with Corey’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time,” an MU spokesperson told ABC 17 News in a statement. “The university will comply with OSHA as it continues to investigate."
Sooter was married and had a son and three daughters. The Holts Summit native worked as an electrician for several companies before joining BK2 Electrical & Design, where he served as a foreman. His obituary states he completed the IBEW Local 257 apprenticeship program after attending the Columbia Area Career Center.
In a June 13 Facebook post, BK2 Electrical & Design remembered Sooter as a leader and mentor who made a lasting impact on his coworkers.
“He led by example, worked with integrity, and genuinely cared about the people around him. Whether on the jobsite, with his family, or among friends, Corey had a way of making people feel valued, respected, and appreciated,” the company wrote in the post. “His laugh was contagious, his presence was genuine, and his heart for others was unmistakable. He was always willing to lend a hand, share his knowledge, encourage those around him, and help make others better. The impact he made on our team and in the lives of so many people will not be forgotten.”
Sooter was also an organ donor. According to his obituary, his donation helped save five lives.
