22.06.2007

Linesman electrocuted

Chris Petersen a 53 year old linesman was electrocuted on Wednesday while working on 400 volt power lines from a utility truck, in New Plymouth in the Taranaki region of North Island.

Petersen died at the scene after his work mate frantically tried to revive him.

The two men were employed by Tenix Alliance and were replacing transformer boxes on power poles from the insulated bucket of an Aichi telescopic truck mounted lift.It seems that he had inadvertently touched one of the power lines.

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The scene in New Plymouth earlier this week

As soon as Petersen was struck, his co-worker lowered the platform to the ground and commenced CPR, continuing until the ambulance arrived.

Department of Labour health and safety Taranaki service manager Brett Murray said a preliminary investigation was carried out but it was too early to say what happened.

Specialists from the New Zealand government's Electrical Safety Service also traveled to New Plymouth to investigate the death.