Heat Killed Woodland Hills Postal Carrier, Coroner Confirms

WOODLAND HILLS, CA — Heat killed a U.S. Postal worker a she sat in a mail truck that lacked air conditioning during a record heat wave in Woodland Hills in July, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Peggy Frank, a 63-year-old postal carrier, died of hyperthermia on a day where temperatures soared to 117 degrees.

Frank's tragic death has prompted calls from her co-workers and family members for changes in working conditions for postal workers.

Frank was found lifeless in her truck on July 6 at about 3:35 p.m. Hyperthermia occurs when one loses the ability to regulate body temperature in extreme heat or cold. Frank, who suffered from a heart condition, died on her first day back from medical leave after injuring her ankle while on the job. The coroner listed her heart condition among secondary factors at the time of her death.

Postal carriers typically work through heat waves often driving vehicles that lack air conditioning. They are encouraged to carry water and stay hydrated. A spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service spokesman declined to comment on whether Frank’s death had led to a review of policies and working conditions for mail carriers.

The tragic death of the North Hills woman rattled the community she served for decades as well her as co-workers.

Joni Hogan Salvatore, a mail carrier at the Woodland Hills Post Office, told the Los Angeles Daily News her longtime co-worker shouldn't have been working that day after a long medical leave.

“I think when someone’s been off work and it’s hot you need to take different steps and, hopefully, in the future, they will,” Salvatore told the newspaper.

Frank’s grieving sister echoed the call for change, pointing out a need for air-conditioned vehicles.
“I don’t want anyone to go through what we did,” Lynn Calkins told the newspaper. “It’s sad that they put people through that.”

Photo: David Allen/Patch