A man was taken to the hospital with sustained injuries after being shocked by a downed power line in West Palm Beach yesterday afternoon. The incident occurred at the intersection of North Military Trail and Vilma Lane, as reported by WPTV. The initial call to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) was placed just after 1:30 p.m. A lightning strike was the alleged cause of the downed lines, which resulted in the blockage of Military Trail in both directions.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO), the man exited his vehicle in an attempt to remove what he thought was a de-energized wire, only to be tragically shocked. In an unfortunate turn of events, when PBSO deputies arrived, the wire was found still laying across the victim. Firefighters had to wait for Florida Power & Light to cut off the electricity before safely extricating him using a belt, as CBS12 detailed. The man's current condition remains unknown, and PBSO is conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident.
Locals were affected by the power outage, as a nearby salon owner, Mica Star, reported a loud boom before the power cut. "Their hair was wet," Star said in an interview with WPTV. "So, luckily I had an extra power cord just to plug it in, but that’s why you have to prepare for these types of things." Traffic was affected as well, with southbound lanes on Military Trail severely restricted, and drivers were advised to treat non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops.
Authorities have reiterated the dangers of downed electrical wires, with PBCFR emphasizing the critical need to remain well clear. "Surges in current may cause the wire to jump without warning, and electricity can travel in the ground," Fire Rescue warned in a news release. CBS12 reported that PBCFR urged the public to always call 911 and avoid trying to determine whether wires are live by sight.
