20.11.2023

Lucky escape - maybe….

Two men may have cheated death after they took their boom lift platform far too close to overhead power lines at a nursing home in Willard, due west of Akron, Ohio on Saturday.

The platform, said by the fire department to be a JLG boom lift, caught fire, trapping the two men in the basket roughly six metres above the ground. The Willard Fire and Rescue Department said the boom had been "telescoped through the power lines". They rescued them using “ground ladders and a rope rescue system” after American Light and Power had ensured the power was disconnected.

One of the men was seriously hurt and was airlifted to hospital while the other was initially taken by road to a local hospital, and later airlifted to a specialist unit in Toledo.

As to the home, 53 residents and 12 staff members were evacuated to a nearby church until the all the excitement was over. Power to the area was restored later in the day.

It is surprising that in spite of everyone knowing the dangers of power lines, incidents such as this remain all too common.

If we hear any more we will, of course update this item.