By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A man doing work on a well at a Rochester fish farm was shocked this afternoon when the boom on the piece of equipment being used came into contact with an overhead power line.
The man, said to be in his 30s, was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia with life-threatening injuries, according to West Thurston Regional Fire Authority.
His name was not released.
Aid was called about 1:40 p.m. to 173rd Avenue Southwest and Wheat Street.
He had stopped breathing, Lt Lanette Dyer said.
“Bystanders had just stopped doing CPR because he came around,” Dyer said.
The patient was responsive but very confused and sustained burns, including an entry wound on his foot and exit wound on his calf, Dyer said.
He had been working with another man on the ground pulling a well pipe, Dyer said. She did not know the company they were employed by.
West Thurston Lt. Eric Smith said the second worker was not hurt.
“Overhead service lines, most people die when they come into contact with those,” Smith said.
Dyer described the electrical line as a commercial one which would have carried 220 volts.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Does anyone know the name of the guy who was shocked or the name of the well drilling company he works for? Just curious.
Most small three phase pumps operate at 480 volts, not 220.
The higher horse power pumps at other hatcheries in the area operate at just over 2,000 volts.
Either way, he is lucky to have a second chance. Hope his wounds heal up ok.