Man dies after transformer incident
Emergency crews responded to a fatal electrocution in a Christchurch suburb, causing a power cut to hundreds of homes.
Image for illustrative purposes
New Zealand, Christchurch: Police in Christchurch are investigating the death of a man who was electrocuted near a transformer, possibly while attempting to remove copper.
Emergency services were called to a fire at a transformer on Brooker Avenue in the suburb of Burwood around midnight. A linesman attending the scene in the city’s Red Zone discovered a man believed to have died and alerted authorities.
According to Orion general manager Steve Macdonald, power was automatically shut off to 513 properties in Burwood and nearby areas. The linesman later manually disconnected the transformer.
Superintendent Lane Todd said the man was found critically injured and died at the scene. Initial enquiries suggest he may have been trying to extract copper from the equipment.
Emergency crews were unable to reach him immediately because the transformer remained live. Electricity had to be cut to the unit and around 700 homes before first aid could begin, but the man could not be revived.
Todd said the incident highlights the serious risks of interfering with electrical infrastructure and urged the public to report suspicious activity to police.
St John responded with an ambulance, two critical care units and an operations manager, while Fire and Emergency assisted with medical support.
Macdonald said the company is helping police with their investigation and extended sympathies to the man’s family, as well as staff and first responders.
Source: RNZ
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