16.10.2011

Another power line incident

A man in Matapihi, New Zealand is in critical condition after he came into contact with overhead power line on Friday.

The man aged 23 was working from the platform of a boom lift on an avocado orchard. As he was picking the fruit, he accidently touched a high voltage power line. Witnesses say that there was a loud bang as the man was shocked, knocked unconscious and then caught fire.

The ambulance crew said that he has burns to his chest, back and arms over 50 percent of his body. He was airlifted to Middlemore Hospital where his condition is said to be critical but stable.

The labour department has launched an investigation into what happened.