TYLER, Texas — As temperatures rise and many East Texans are experiencing power outages, East Texas hospital systems have reported responding to several heat-related calls.
UT Health said they've seen an increase in heat calls. Between last Friday and Monday, crews responded to 23 heat-related calls, 14 of which went to the ER and six went to UT hospitals.
Christus Health said its EMS crews have responded to 23 heat related emergencies in the past 48 hours.
In Harrison County, a 35-year-old lineman who worked with Appalachian Power in West Virginia and was helping to restore power in East Texas, told coworkers he was sick after working in the heat Monday. He was then given medical treatment, drank water and took a shower Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 John Oswalt said.
Oswalt said CBS19 after the man fell asleep, his roommate tried to wake him up, but he was unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving measures were attempted. His body was sent for autopsy and officials believe his death was heat related.