http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/sep/22/pstudent-critical-after-power-line-shockp/

A Lee University student is being treated for an electric shock after making contact with a Tennessee Valley Authority power line near the Ocoee Whitewater Center, according to Kevin Cole, a detective with the Polk County Sheriff’s department.

Twenty-year-old Caleb Baber from Nebraska was hiking the Riverview trail with five other Lee University students on Sunday when he decided to climb a TVA transmission pole to get a better view of the river, Mr. Cole said.

While descending from the pole, Mr. Baber apparently made contact with one of the wires and fell. He landed on a wire, where he was suspended for a short time, before falling another 20 feet to the ground, Mr. Cole said. A member of the group was an emergency medical technician and immediately began treating the victim’s injuries, according to the sheriff’s department.

East Polk Fire and Rescue and Med Trans were dispatched to the scene shortly after the accident, and a mountain biker from Chattanooga lead rescuers to the scene. Extrication of the victim was complicated by the remoteness of the location, authorities said.

The victim was air lifted to Erlanger hospital Sunday night, where he was listed in critical condition.

Submitted on 09/22/2008

Submitted by: Joe
Reference: Chattanooga Times Free Press, September 22, 2008

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
While we've had numerous submissions of dumb crooks climbing power lines and electrocuting themselves while trying to steal the copper wires, this is the first one I recall where somebody climbed up just for a little sightseeing. That's enough of a difference for me. Thanks, Joe. Do let us know if you hear whether this should be upgraded to a full DA.

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
LOL!!! What Bruce said! Man!

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