June 11, 2007 — St. Thomas resident Raymond Henry sustained serious electrical burns on Sunday afternoon while picking mangoes from a tree in the Estate Contant area, according to a news release from WAPA.
Henry was using a metal pole to remove the mangoes from the tree when the pole touched a primary line of 7,620 volts. He sustained burns to his chest, back, hands, legs, and feet. Henry was immediately transported to the Roy L. Schneider hospital for treatment and then airlifted to Puerto Rico, where he is in the intensive care unit, according to a WAPA spokesperson.
“This was a very unfortunate accident,” said Nellon Bowry, WAPA interim executive director. “We pray that Mr. Henry will be able to overcome his injuries and make a complete recovery.”
WAPA urges residents to stay away from power lines and to never assume that they are not energized. As summer approaches, parents are reminded that children should never climb trees or fly kites near power lines. It is not safe to go near electrical substations or approach power lines that are down. It is not safe to place ladders near utility poles, or to trim trees or bushes around WAPA lines.
WAPA asks the public to report any unsafe conditions around power lines to its emergency numbers on St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island at 774-1424 or on St. Croix at 773-0150. WAPA says its line crews will respond immediately.
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