Man who climbed metro-east utility pole was electrocuted, suffering substantial burns
A man suffered substantial burns after he climbed a utility pole in Washington Park and apparently was electrocuted by live wires.
The man, who has not been identified, was found Wednesday morning at 50th Street and Hill Avenue suspended from the pole, said Assistant Chief Ronnie Harris of the Washington Park Fire Department.
An ambulance transported the victim to a hospital. His condition is unknown, but Harris said it appeared he had suffered burns over more than half of his body.
The incident was reported at 7:38 a.m. Emergency workers immediately went into action after arriving at the scene, securing the man with rope and a ``web field” and using a bucket truck to carefully lower the victim to the ground around 7:50 a.m. Harris said. He was placed on a board then taken by ambulance to the hospital.
Harris complimented all the responders involved, saying they did a professional job bringing the man down from the pole. In addition to the local fire department, Belleville Fire Department, Ameren and St. Clair County Special Services were among those who responded to the scene.
Police could not be reached for comment.
Harris said he did not know the man’s identity, age or where he was from. He did know he was not from Washington Park.
Harris did not know why the man had climbed the pole. He said the man appeared to know what he was doing as he had appropriate clothing for climbing a utility pole.
