(KSDK/AP) A painter doing contract work on an Ameren Corporation transmission tower is dead after falling from the tower.

Ameren spokeswoman Susan Gallagher says the accident happened in Washington, Missouri. The man was working on a 100 foot tall tower near the Missouri River.

Gary Wayne Huggins, 44, of Shirley, Ark., was working at an Ameren tower in the 4200 block of Old Highway 100 when he fell about 80 feet.

Huggins had unhooked his safety harness to move to another area when he fell, authorities said.

During his fall, he also struck a 340,000-volt power line.

Gallagher says the man worked for Steel Painting Corporation of the state of California.

The company issued a statement Tuesday night:

"The Company experienced a great tragedy today when one of our workers fell while working on a tower. (Huggins) has been on the job for over four years, this was his second day on the job this year. (Huggins) was good, well-trained and experienced in painting towers. We are in the midst of our investigation and do not know the exact cause of death and don't want to speculate at this time. We are saddened by this very unfortunate accident and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.