63-year-old Peggy Frank worked for the US Postal Service for 28 years.
Sadly, she passed away on the job as a massive heatwave hit Los Angeles.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office said to PEOPLE that the mail carrier was inside her mail truck in the Woodland Hills area when someone found her unresponsive.
Emergency services arrived on the scene and resuscitated but she was pronounced dead.
Temperatures in Los Angeles reached 117F that afternoon, according to CBS. The National Weather Service released a warning about the excessive heat.
However, USPS trucks are not equipped with air conditioning. It is not clear whether the heat took her life away.
The coroner’s office said to PEOPLE that an autopsy had been made and the cause of her death was ‘deferred pending additional tests.’
Frank’s sister, Lynn Calkins, told KTLA: “I can not believe it because I don’t think that it should have happened.
“I’m so sad because she was going to retire soon. Now she can’t.”
Frank’s son also blamed the USPS. “To have my mom 107 [degrees], humidity, carrying the mailbag around with no air conditioning in the car — yeah, I’m sure she’s probably gonna overheat.”
A representative for the USPS said to PEOPLE in a statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the employee’s family at this difficult time.
“The unfortunate incident involving this employee remains under investigation. This includes the underlying cause(s) of the employee’s death.”
A spokesman also added that postal carriers are encouraged to prioritize their safety.
“The safety of our employees is a top priority and the Postal Service has implemented a national Heat Illness Prevention Program (HIPP) for all employees,” the statement said.
“In connection with the HIPP, the Postal Service provides mandatory heat-related and other safety training and instruction to all employees and assures they have the resources needed to do their jobs safely. Carriers are reminded to ensure they’re hydrated, wear appropriate clothing, including hats, get in the shade whenever possible, and to take sufficient amounts of water and ice with them out on their routes.”
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