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Over $84,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe effort for a lineman who suffered an electrical contact injury while on the job.

The worker, Ryan Brown, an Elexicon Energy employee, was injured while restoring power in Ajax, Ont. on the evening of May 19.

Reports indicate the injuries were severe and he was hospitalized.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Brown by Jennifer Quinlan on behalf of Jordan Quade, Brown’s long-term girlfriend with whom he shares a five-month-old daughter. The original goal was to raise $60,000.

The money raised will go towards helping with the family’s immediate financial needs as it is uncertain how long it will take Brown to recover.

“Everyone who knows Ryan knows he’s the type of guy who would give you the shirt off his back,” states the GoFundMe post. “He’s a hard worker, whether it be picking up extra on-call shifts, helping others, his many projects around their home and being a loving and supportive new dad. The love he has for his family and his girls, Jordan and Riley, is huge beyond measure and he is an amazing lineman and damn proud of it.”

Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development inspectors were notified of the incident on May 19 and inspectors were assigned. On May 23, two ministry inspectors attended the workplace to continue the investigation.

According to a ministry spokesperson, one requirement was issued to the employer, Elexicon. On May 24 and May 30 two inspectors and an electrical engineer reattended the workplace to continue the investigation.

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) was unable to comment due to the fact that the investigation is ongoing.

“We are aware of a powerline contact incident involving the Powerline Technician in Ajax, which is currently under investigation and we are therefore unable to comment on any detail,” a spokesperson wrote in an email to the Daily Commercial News.  “The threat posed by powerline contact is very real and we wish them a full recovery.”

For more information on the GoFundMe page