ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — A former city of Albany utility worker said he repeatedly raised concerns about what he described as “a lack of oversight” on certain shifts, including the shift that Caiden Gibson was working on May 27, the day of his fatal incident.

>> READ MORE: Apprentice lineman dies following accident, city of Albany confirms <<

What the former co-worker says

In an interview, the former co-worker, Shayn Morris, said he worked with Gibson during their time with the city utility department and described Gibson as a “motivated” and “hard worker.”

Morris also alleged ongoing issues with supervisors. Morris said he brought his concerns to the director and deputy director of Utility Operations, telling them he believed the situation created safety risks for apprentices working around energized lines.

Safety concerns and PPE

Morris said he cannot be sure exactly what caused the fatal accident, but he alleged the situation may have involved missing personal protective equipment (PPE). He said a foreman should be present to ensure apprentices are wearing required PPE, such as insulated gloves and fire-retardant clothing, when working around energized service lines.

He said proper oversight can prevent mistakes from becoming deadly, particularly for newer apprentices.

Remembering Caiden Gibson

The former co-worker described Gibson as a “goofball” who joked often, but he said Gibson stood out for his work ethic. He said Gibson regularly volunteered for shifts, wanted overtime and sought out opportunities to work.

Gibson was just 20 years old.

A GoFundMe to raise money for Gibson‘s loved ones has garnered nearly $20,000 since it was created Thursday, May 28. If you would like to donate, visit the GoFundMe page below.

Questions remain

WALB has reached out to the city of Albany for a response to these allegations and for details about the investigation into the accident, including any safety or supervision policies for on-call crews.

WALB is working to learn more. Stay with us for developments on-air and online.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.