37-year-old woman electrocuted after Tuesday storms down power line in Charlotte
A downed power line killed one person in southeast Charlotte after heavy storms Tuesday evening.
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Emergency response workers found a 37-year-old woman underneath active power lines around 7:30 p.m. on July 7. They were responding to 911 calls about a downed line in the 4500 block of Castleton Road.
“Because the lines were still energized, firefighters could not safely approach or access the patient,” according to Kevin Campbell, a spokesperson for Charlotte Fire, in a statement for this story. “Charlotte Fire immediately requested Duke Energy respond to disconnect and secure the electrical power.”
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department incident report. The report did not include the identity of the woman.
CMPD and Duke Energy are investigating.
“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the individual involved in this incident,” a spokesperson for Duke Energy wrote in a statement. “We will continue to work with local authorities to investigate the situation.”
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Video footage from a neighbor’s security camera showed the woman walking down the street and accidentally coming into contact with an active power line, according to WBTV.
Severe storms also hit the Charlotte area on Friday, causing downed power lines, power outages and grounded flights.
Charlotte Fire warned that people should treat any downed line as a live wire, and to stay away from the area and anything that might be in contact with the line.
“Electricity can travel through the ground and nearby objects. Attempting to help someone who is in contact with an energized line can result in additional injuries or deaths,” Campbell wrote. “Wait for emergency responders and the utility company to confirm the area is safe.”
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