GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. — The fiancée of a young man who died in a tragic accident involving a coal mound collapse is suing a utility company for wrongful death. Jessica Bishop has filed the lawsuit on behalf of Cody Jordan’s estate, following his untimely death at the age of 23.
Cody Jordan, who was operating heavy machinery at the Santee Cooper Winyah Generating Station on May 23, 2024, was pushing coal atop a mound when disaster struck. According to the lawsuit, his bulldozer fell into an unmarked void, resulting in the vehicle being buried under coal while Jordan remained trapped.
Bishop is seeking compensation for damages, including funeral expenses and emotional suffering, prompted by the loss of her fiancé and the father of her 3-year-old son. The suit contends that Santee Cooper failed to ensure a safe working environment and did not properly supervise Jordan during the incident.
At the time, Jordan was employed by MOR PPM, a contractor that has had a long-standing relationship with Santee Cooper. The lawsuit alleges that there were no supervisors present to monitor Jordan’s work when the bulldozer fell, raising questions about the company’s safety protocols.
The filing also claims that Jordan’s bulldozer was not operating properly, citing that its GPS system was inactive. This assertion conflicts with findings by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which reported that Jordan had deactivated the GPS prior to the incident. OSHA indicated that the GPS is designed to alert operators of potential hazards, including proximity to the edge of coal piles.
After discovering Jordan was missing about half an hour after the incident, Santee Cooper management alerted emergency crews. It took several hours before firefighters found the bulldozer, which was heavily obstructed by coal, with the vehicle’s cab windows shattered. Tragically, Jordan’s body was discovered the following day, approximately 50 feet beneath the pile, having suffered traumatic chest injuries due to the bulldozer.
Bishop’s mother described Jordan as someone generous to a fault, fondly recalling his willingness to help others. The heartache remains palpable for those who knew him, and Bishop’s lawsuit seeks to bring attention to the circumstances surrounding his death.
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Santee Cooper expressed condolences, calling the incident a tragic accident and extending thoughts and prayers to Jordan’s family. The legal proceedings will now unfold to determine accountability for the events that led to this heartbreaking loss.
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