Downed power line kills man, severely burns 6-year-old and grandmother, Texas cops say
A downed power line caused by severe storms in southeast Texas fatally electrocuted a 59-year-old man and severely burned a 6-year-old boy and his grandmother, fire officials and family members said.
Neighbors found the 59-year-old man lying on the ground, still in contact with the power line, on May 28 near a Lake Conroe campsite, the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office said in a news release.
The man died from injuries caused by the electrocution, officials said on June 5.
Nathan Winters, 6, and his grandmother Charlotte Winters did not come into direct contact with the power line, but they were both hospitalized due to severe burns, officials and family member Morgan Winters said.
“They’re both fighters and they’re both going to make it through it one day at a time,” Morgan Winters, Nathan Winters’ mother and Charlotte Winters’ daughter, told KHOU.
Nathan underwent a skin graft to repair some of the 18% of his body that was burned, Morgan Winters said in a GoFundMe.
Charlotte Winters will need “multiple” surgeries over the next few weeks, Morgan Winters said. Over 50% of her body suffered burns, according to the GoFundMe.
“I know deep down it’s going to be okay, even though it’s going to be hard and challenging. I’m just very thankful that they’re both alive,” Morgan Winters told KHOU.
Severe weather on May 28 in the area caused power outages throughout southeast Texas, fire officials said.
Montgomery County is about a 40-mile drive north of Houston.
Downed Power Line Safety Tips
Here are some safety tips from the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office:
- “If you see a downed power line, move away from it and anything touching it. The ground around power lines – up to 35 feet away – may be energized.”
- “You cannot tell whether or not a power line is energized just by looking at it. You should assume that all downed power lines are live.”
- “The proper way to move away from the power line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This will minimize the potential for a strong electric shock.”
- “If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Call 911 for help.”
- “Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything else in contact with it by using an object such as a broom or stick. Even non-conductive materials like wood or cloth, can conduct electricity if even slightly wet.”
- “Be careful not to touch or step in water near where a downed power line is located.”
- “Do not drive over downed power lines.”
- “If your car comes in contact with a downed power line while you are inside, stay in the car. Honk your horn to summon help, but direct others to stay away from your car.”
- “If you must leave your car because it is on fire, jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and avoid contact with both the car and the ground at the same time. Shuffle away from the car.”
