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CPOPE
05-08-2008, 08:24 PM
Lineman touched energized conductor during storm repairs
By ERIC SNYDER • The Leaf-Chronicle • May 6, 2008

The most severe injury from Friday night's storms came the next day, when 110 mph winds were replaced with a warm, sunny afternoon.

A CDE Lightband lineman suffered severe burns Saturday when he touched — how is not yet clear — an energized primary conductor surging with 7,200 volts of electricity.

Ryan Nicholson, 34, was working from a utility pole to restore service to several homes off Crossland Avenue when he touched the conductor at about 4:30 p.m.

CDE Lightband President Ken Spradlin would not elaborate on how Nicholson came in contact with the conductor.

"We're in the process of doing an accident investigation," Spradlin said, adding it should be complete by later this week.

First responders on the scene wanted to take Nicholson to Vanderbilt University Medical Center via helicopter. As one was not available, however, he was taken to Vanderbilt by ambulance.

Nicholson's severe burns — caused by intense heat from his body's resistance to the electricity — led to a series of amputations Saturday to fingers on both hands and to his left foot.

"He's probably doing as well as he possibly can," Spradlin said. "He's alert, he's being able to communicate with people, he's aware of his surroundings."

"It's had a profound effect on all of the employees," Spradlin said, adding that three other crew members were with Nicholson at the time. "I'm really proud of the folks that were kind of able to put this behind them long enough to go back to work."

Spradlin said he's seen two other accidents of this type occur during his tenure, both going back to the 1980s. One of those accidents was fatal.

Spradlin said it takes "at least" four years of training to become a lineman, "and the training is never finished."

Spradlin said Nicholson is eligible for Workers' Compensation.

Alan Nicholson, Ryan's uncle, said doctors have told the family "they think we're out of the woods — it's not a life and death situation right now."

However, he said his nephew is aware his life has just been dramatically changed. "He loved his job," he said about his nephew. "He was athletic and liked to be able to climb a pole and do it quicker than anybody."

He added he'd been impressed by the linemen who'd driven to Nashville to visit Ryan, most of whom were his nephew's age.

"They risk their lives every day."
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880505004

grizzlybuck
05-08-2008, 09:29 PM
My prayers go out to the young man and his family. Good luck and God speed.

Trbl639
05-08-2008, 10:01 PM
My prayers go out to the young man and his family. Good luck and God speed.

X2..............

scammy
05-11-2008, 07:38 PM
same here,,,,,ill pray for him

buzzit125
05-12-2008, 05:06 AM
Lineman touched energized conductor during storm repairs
By ERIC SNYDER • The Leaf-Chronicle • May 6, 2008

The most severe injury from Friday night's storms came the next day, when 110 mph winds were replaced with a warm, sunny afternoon.

A CDE Lightband lineman suffered severe burns Saturday when he touched — how is not yet clear — an energized primary conductor surging with 7,200 volts of electricity.

Ryan Nicholson, 34, was working from a utility pole to restore service to several homes off Crossland Avenue when he touched the conductor at about 4:30 p.m.

CDE Lightband President Ken Spradlin would not elaborate on how Nicholson came in contact with the conductor.

"We're in the process of doing an accident investigation," Spradlin said, adding it should be complete by later this week.

First responders on the scene wanted to take Nicholson to Vanderbilt University Medical Center via helicopter. As one was not available, however, he was taken to Vanderbilt by ambulance.

Nicholson's severe burns — caused by intense heat from his body's resistance to the electricity — led to a series of amputations Saturday to fingers on both hands and to his left foot.

"He's probably doing as well as he possibly can," Spradlin said. "He's alert, he's being able to communicate with people, he's aware of his surroundings."

"It's had a profound effect on all of the employees," Spradlin said, adding that three other crew members were with Nicholson at the time. "I'm really proud of the folks that were kind of able to put this behind them long enough to go back to work."

Spradlin said he's seen two other accidents of this type occur during his tenure, both going back to the 1980s. One of those accidents was fatal.

Spradlin said it takes "at least" four years of training to become a lineman, "and the training is never finished."

Spradlin said Nicholson is eligible for Workers' Compensation.

Alan Nicholson, Ryan's uncle, said doctors have told the family "they think we're out of the woods — it's not a life and death situation right now."

However, he said his nephew is aware his life has just been dramatically changed. "He loved his job," he said about his nephew. "He was athletic and liked to be able to climb a pole and do it quicker than anybody."

He added he'd been impressed by the linemen who'd driven to Nashville to visit Ryan, most of whom were his nephew's age.

"They risk their lives every day."
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880505004

prayers to the young man and his family
I say more training, the trade can do better...