Downed Wire Causes Fatalities
20 November 2003 - 5:58AM
PR Newswire (US)
Downed Wire Causes Fatalities NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ --
Three customer fatalities were reported early this morning in West
Orange. A West Orange resident was electrocuted this morning at
approximately 4:30 a.m. when he apparently entered a vehicle on
which an electrical wire had fallen. Two other men came to his aid
and were also electrocuted. "This is a tragically sad event. We
extend our heartfelt sympathies to all the families involved," said
Ralph La Rossa, Vice President, Electric Delivery. "PSE&G is
working with local police as they complete their investigation." It
is important to remember that wires installed on utility poles
carry electricity. When wires are down, they are dangerous because
the electricity can still flow through them. Never assume that a
downed power line is not energized as they still could be "live".
We urge the public to stay at least 10 feet away from all downed
wires - and keep others from going near them as well. Call
PSE&G at 1-800-436-7734 or the police or fire department
immediately. Any wire on the ground or hanging from a pole must be
considered to be live. Telephone and cable TV wires may be
entangled with electric wires and must also be treated as live. The
public is also urged to be especially careful when driving or
parking a vehicle near downed wires. If downed wires are in the
street, near the curb, or on the sidewalk, use extreme caution. In
the event that a wire comes down on a vehicle with passengers, our
advice is to stay in the vehicle until professional help arrives to
safely remove people from the vehicle. Never use water on an
electric fire, burning vehicle or wire, or extend a pole or stick
that can allow a path through which the electricity can travel. Our
human instinct is to reach out to help, but touching an individual
who has been energized also provides a path for the electricity to
travel. Call 911 for help immediately. Bottom Line: Never go near
or touch an electrical wire. Never go near or touch anything or
anyone that has come in contact with an electrical wire. TO REPORT
A DOWNED WIRE: Call 1-800-436-PSEG and tell PSE&G the nearest
cross street or the number of a nearby pole that has not been
damaged and is away from any downed wires. The pole number can be
found on the metal tag attached to the pole. DATASOURCE: Public
Service Enterprise Group CONTACT: Renee DiNardi or Leslie Cifelli
of PSE&G, +1-973-430-7734 Web site: http://www.pseg.com/
Copyright