USPS carrier dies of possible heat-related illness while working Dallas route

A U.S. Postal Service carrier died Tuesday of a possible heat-related illness while working a Dallas route, the service confirmed in a statement.

USPS said the carrier was with the Lakewood post office. Kimetra Lewis, president of the Dallas branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers, identified him as 66-year-old Eugene Gates Jr.

Gates’ Facebook page said he worked for the postal service for 35 years. His cause of death has not been released.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, Lewis asked mail carriers to take precautions including drinking water and taking cooling breaks.

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“I am asking the public to watch out for your letter carrier, if you notice distress, please assist him/her,” she wrote. “I am also asking the Postal Service to be understanding when a letter carrier needs additional time to complete their assignments.”

USPS has a Heat Illness Prevention Program and mandatory training to support its employees through the summer months.

“The Postal Service is deeply saddened by the loss of life suffered yesterday,” USPS wrote in its statement. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time.”

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for Dallas-Fort Worth on Monday, which has since been extended through Wednesday evening because of “dangerously hot conditions,” with heat index values of 110 to 120 degrees expected.