A busy stretch of south Charlotte turned into an emergency scene Sunday afternoon when a person was seriously hurt in an electrocution near Ballantyne Commons Parkway. The incident happened around 12:45 p.m., and emergency crews rushed the victim to a hospital with serious injuries. Officials did not immediately release the person’s identity, and it was not clear how the electrocution occurred.
According to WBTV, Medic responded to the area near Ballantyne Commons Parkway and confirmed the patient was transported with serious injuries. WBTV reported that Medic did not provide additional details about the exact location along the roadway or what caused the electrocution.
Storm Damage and Downed Lines
The incident comes on the heels of severe storms that swept through the region on Friday, July 10, toppling trees and power lines and knocking out electricity to roughly 21,000 Duke Energy customers, as reported by the Charlotte Observer. The Observer also detailed a separate electrocution earlier in the week in which a 37-year-old woman was killed after encountering a downed line, underscoring the ongoing risks tied to storm-damaged electrical infrastructure.
Officials Warn: Stay Away From Fallen Wires
Charlotte Fire officials told the Charlotte Observer that firefighters cannot safely reach victims when power lines are still energized. “Because the lines were still energized, firefighters could not safely approach or access the patient,” a Charlotte Fire spokesperson said, urging residents to assume any downed wire is live until utility crews confirm otherwise.
How to Report Hazards and What to Expect
Duke Energy’s storm guidance instructs residents to stay well away from downed lines, call 911 when there is immediate danger, and report power-line hazards directly to the utility using its outage tools and hotlines. Duke Energy warns that electricity can travel through water and nearby objects, making fallen lines particularly dangerous even if they do not appear active.
Per WBTV, Medic had not released further details as of the station’s report, and local authorities had not yet provided a public update.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact local authorities. If you encounter a downed power line, keep a safe distance and report it immediately to 911 and to your electric provider.
