| Hey, In Ottawa County (western MI, west of Grand Rapids) a 43-year-old man was reported unresponsive in the front yard of his home early this evening.
5 Firefighters from Crockery Township arrived on the scene and started to help the man. Not realizing he had been electrocuted and thinking he had a heart problem, they tried CPR and then used an automated external defibrillator (AED).
While the Firefighters were working, one of them got too close to the still-charged telehandler (a portable mobile boom device) and was shocked. He fell into another Firefighter, who was also shocked. They suffered electric shock, as the forks on the machine were fully extended and in contact with an overhead power line.
EXTREME CLOSE CALL: The initial shock caused the first Firefighter--a 38-year-old four-year veteran, to be electrocuted and to go into cardiac arrest, but other Firefighters with an AED were able to regain a pulse.
The second Firefighter was able to continue working, but was taken to a hospital for evaluation--and was subsequently released, having suffered minor injuries.
Glad the Firefighters are doing ok. Sadly the civilian homeowner died. Take Care. Be Careful. Size Up & Pass It On! BillyG The Secret List 5-18-2014 2200 hours www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
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