62-Year-Old Dies While Working On Granite City Transformer

GRANITE CITY - A 62-year-old man from the Bridgeton, Mo. area died early Saturday, July 11, 2026, after he was electrocuted while working on a malfunctioning transformer during a storm at the U.S. Steel Mill Cold Plant in Granite City, according to Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich.

The man was identified as Mitcheal N. Nelson, 62, of Bridgeton, Mo., 63044. Novacich said Nelson and two other employees were working on a transformer at the plant, 1900 State St., when it malfunctioned during the storm. Nelson was attempting to shut off the transformer when he was electrocuted.

Emergency responders were called at 4:53 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2026, and lifesaving efforts were attempted by the Granite City Fire Department, according to the coroner’s office. Nelson was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m. Saturday by Madison County Coroner’s Investigator Sakina Vernor.

An autopsy was conducted, and the preliminary cause of death was electrocution, the coroner’s office said. Routine toxicological testing will be performed and remains pending. A final cause of death will be issued upon completion of toxicology.

The case remains under investigation by the Granite City Police Department and the Madison County Coroner’s Office.

Funeral arrangements are pending with James O’Donnell Funeral Home in Hannibal, Mo.

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