John Applewhite, Florida electrical worker attacked during relief effort for Hurricane Sandy victims
A Florida electrical worker who came to New York to help after Hurricane Sandy was beaten to a pulp in the neighborhood where he was trying to restore power.
John Applewhite photo screenshot of WTSP video
John Applewhite, a 34-year-old lineman working for Lakeland Electric, went to New York to assist with the recovery. On Friday, he left his truck near a restaurant when he was attacked.
Applewhite had just finished working a 13-hour shift and was getting dinner with co-workers when another man got out of a black BMW and approached him, he said.
“He met me halfway between my truck and his vehicle and just as I got within arm’s reach, he decked me,” Applewhite told WTSP in Tampa.
Applewhite was flown back to Florida Saturday with a black eye, broken jaw and several fractures. He’s confined to a hospital bed and awaiting surgery.
“They’re going to put a plate in my face and wire my jaw,” he said from Lakeland Regional Medical Center. “At least three surgeons will do work on me.”
Applewhite was part of a 25 person crew and doesn’t know why he was targeted.
“I didn’t know what his intentions were,” Applewhite told WFTV. “I didn’t know if I was going to be robbed or if he was just upset. He was in a nice car, so I kind of let my guard down. It’s unfortunate, it really is.”
Applewhite’s family is furious his act of generosity was met with cruelty.
“I was devastated when I got the call,” sister Mary Anne said. “John is such a sweet person and he certainly didn’t deserve this.”
Police are reviewing surveillance video and searching for Applewhite’s attacker.
[…] Applewhite, from Lakeland, Florida, has been hospitalized after being severely beaten by someone after walked up to him, punched him in the face…and then took off in a dark-colored BMW […]