Odis
09-29-2006, 10:17 AM
I hope this wasn't George......
Power lines burn man trying to steal copper
Associated Press
SOUTH BEND – A 20-year-old man trying to steal copper wire suffered second- and third-degree third burns when he cut into live electrical cables inside a manhole, police said.
The man suffered burns to his hand and face when he came into contact with 7,000 volts of electricity Wednesday afternoon while in the manhole behind a factory building.
The South Bend man, who was not identified, was taken in serious condition to an area hospital by a bystander, who saw smoke and debris flying out of the manhole, said Capt. Phil Trent of the South Bend Police Department.
The man, who was taken from the scene in serious condition, was later flown to Fort Wayne’s St. Joseph Hospital Regional Burn Center for treatment.
“When the electrical discharge occurred, there was quite a bit of smoke and debris that flew out of the manhole, it alerted him, he ran over to see what was happening and he saw this injured party down at the bottom,” Trent said.
Trent said the man is an employee of a business that occupies the former South Bend Lathe building.
Copper thefts have increased recently as the demand for copper has pushed its price to historic highs.
“This is a very big problem and a very dangerous problem, not only is it illegal to cut into and steal copper from the electric delivery system, it’s very dangerous, it’s lethal,” said Dave Mayne, a spokesman for Indiana Michigan Power.
Power lines burn man trying to steal copper
Associated Press
SOUTH BEND – A 20-year-old man trying to steal copper wire suffered second- and third-degree third burns when he cut into live electrical cables inside a manhole, police said.
The man suffered burns to his hand and face when he came into contact with 7,000 volts of electricity Wednesday afternoon while in the manhole behind a factory building.
The South Bend man, who was not identified, was taken in serious condition to an area hospital by a bystander, who saw smoke and debris flying out of the manhole, said Capt. Phil Trent of the South Bend Police Department.
The man, who was taken from the scene in serious condition, was later flown to Fort Wayne’s St. Joseph Hospital Regional Burn Center for treatment.
“When the electrical discharge occurred, there was quite a bit of smoke and debris that flew out of the manhole, it alerted him, he ran over to see what was happening and he saw this injured party down at the bottom,” Trent said.
Trent said the man is an employee of a business that occupies the former South Bend Lathe building.
Copper thefts have increased recently as the demand for copper has pushed its price to historic highs.
“This is a very big problem and a very dangerous problem, not only is it illegal to cut into and steal copper from the electric delivery system, it’s very dangerous, it’s lethal,” said Dave Mayne, a spokesman for Indiana Michigan Power.