Utility worker electrocuted in Revere, causing power outages in city

A 25-year-old was shocked while working on power lines in Revere, Massachusetts, an incident that caused a significant power outage in the surrounding area of the city on Saturday afternoon.

Revere police say the electrical incident occurred at 30 Railroad Street around 1:24 p.m. A preliminary investigation shows the Michels Power, Inc. worker made contact with a live wire while working on elevated power lines, resulting in a loud electrical discharge.

The victim became suspended by his safety harness before being safely lowered to the ground by his co-workers, police said. A bystander who was waiting at Park N Boston ran to the fence and jumped over it using an accumulated snow pile next to the fence. The bystander, who happened to be a nurse, began providing aid, requesting an Automated External Defibrillator. She remained with the victim, helping to keep him calm until the arrival of police, fire and EMS personnel.

Once on scene, first responders proceeded to the back of the property, Park n Boston, near the railroad tracks, where officers saw the male victim on the ground, but they were initially unable to get reach him. The Revere Fire Department had to cut through a secured chain-link fence topped with barbed wire and additional concertina wire in order for emergency personnel to be able to get to the injured worker.

The victim was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, according to police, and is currently in stable condition. His name is being withheld at this time.

Police are commending the bystander for her quick thinking and willingness to assist during this critical emergency. Her name is also not being released right now.

Police say there is no threat to public safety after this incident, which caused power outages in the city. Police warned traffic lights could be affected, before saying power was restored around 3 p.m.

This incident remains under review.