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Jed Boal Reporting The parents of a Fruit Heights teenager who was electrocuted late last week talk to Eyewitness News about their son.
"He was all about being good to everyone, and life -- living life big," his parents said.
Scott Nye, 15, died late Friday on an outing with friends. The Davis High School sophomore had climbed two-thirds of the way up a 70-foot-tall metal tower when he was electrocuted. It's not clear whether he touched a 46,000 volt power line, or if it arced.
A woman tried resuscitating Nye, but he died at the scene. That woman, Becky Crockett, feels the tower needs warning signs or should be fenced off. "I just really feel that had a sign said 'High Voltage, Stay Off,' anything like that, would it have crossed their minds? Would they have thought twice? Maybe it could have avoided such a tragedy."
Dave Eskelsen of Rocky Mountain Power said, "The bottom line is, even fences and warning signs sometimes do not deter people who are determined to get into our facilities."
Rocky Mountain Power puts on regular demonstrations for school children, using a model to highlight the dangers of high voltage.
Scott Nye's parents told us they don't want to lay blame and they don't want to be drawn into a discussion about safety. But they did talk with us because they want to honor their son.
Scott Nye's brothers and friends are feeling a great loss. His parents say he lived a lot of life and made a lot of friends in 15 years.
Bright tie-dyed T-shirts glowed at the base of the tower where Scott Nye was electrocuted.
His older brother, Seth Nye, said, "He was always bright and happy. He loved making tie-dyed shirts."
Three brothers and a couple of dozen friends gathered to honor Nye and remember him right where he lived his last moments.
Jackie Tippets said, "It just makes you think how precious life is, and that you need to be careful wherever you go."
Scott's mother, Valerie Nye, said, "He was always busy and having fun."
Nye's parents say he worked hard and played hard, mowing lawns with his brothers to earn money to snowboard.
His father, Noel Nye, said, "He was just a good kid, and we're glad he had so many good friends to be with and run around with."
He got involved in scouting and soccer. The parents say they encourage their sons to get outside and experience life.
Valerie said, "We would rather have them doing that than always worrying about, 'Am I going to be OK?' But at the same time, stop. Stop and think. Take a second thought before you climb the tower."
Both are touched by the outpouring of love from his friends.
Noel said, "Everybody misses him terribly, and we're going to miss him terribly. But we have no regrets. Not one."
Scott Nye's friends called him "Sunshine." His brother Seth says they won't soon forget him. "Love your family. Never miss a chance to tell them how much you love them."
Nye's parents call their son's death a tragic accident. They're grateful they had 15 years to enjoy him.
