Reclamation employee dies after fall Monday

SPOKANE - A Bureau of Reclamation employee died Wednesday from injuries sustained from a fall Monday at a construction site at Pinto Dam located about 18 mile east of Ephrata.

Holger "Hal" Jensen, 62, died with family gathered by his bedside Wednesday at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. He was a civil engineer with the construction engineering group in Reclamation's Pacific Northwest Regional Office in Boise, Idaho, according to the Bureau.

"Our hearts are heavy within the Reclamation family today," Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor said in a statement Thursday. "At this time of sadness and tragedy, we want to extend our deepest respect and sympathy for the Jensen family."

Jensen reportedly suffered extensive head injuries when he fell about 35 feet onto a concrete surface while conducting a construction inspection at Pinto Dam, which impounds Billy Clapp Lake. Construction was being done at the site, modifying the structure to store additional water, according to the Bureau.

Jensen was airlifted to Sacred Heart after the fall.

"This is simply heartbreaking," Pacific Northwest Regional Director Lorri Lee said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hal's family as they face such sadness especially at this time of year."

Reclamation announced they are conducting an official serious accident investigation in the incident and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified of the accident.

Jensen once resided in Everett, where he worked as a principal engineer at Perteet, Inc. before moving to Idaho. He worked for Reclamation as a construction inspector from 1972-80. He earned his degree in civil engineering in 1983 from Washington State University and later became a professional engineer. He again joined Reclamation full-time in 2011.