North Texas Postal Service employee dies while working, temperature felt like 115 degrees Fahrenheit

DALLAS – An employee of the United States Postal Service died while working on his route in Dallas on Tuesday during scorching weather, according to NBC 5.

Eugene Gates worked for the company for 40 years.

His cause of death has not yet been released. But it felt like 115 degrees Fahrenheit in Dallas on Tuesday, the hottest it̵[ads1]7;s been since the 1980s, NBC 5 reported.

Gates was in the Lakewood area when he died. Chase Thomas, who lives in that area, said this was a tragic incident.

“It’s definitely sad you know,” Thomas told NBC 5. “This time of year it can be dangerous to be out in the heat in the afternoon.”

The USPS has not said whether Gates died from the hot temperatures. They shared the following statement.

“The Postal Service is deeply saddened by the loss of life that occurred yesterday with a letter carrier from the Lakewood Post Office. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues at this time.”

The USPS has a Heat Illness Prevention Program (HIPP) to provide safety tips to employees.