Police said three people were rescued from the tower and one is in stable but critical condition.
Police said three people were rescued from the tower and one is in stable but critical condition.
Police said three people were rescued from the tower and one is in stable but critical condition.
BURLESON, Texas — Three people were rescued from a cell tower and one was critically injured in an incident that led power to be shut off to thousands in Burleson Friday, officials say
Burleson police said initial reports indicate cell phone workers in the area of the substation in the 800 block of North Burleson Road accidentally came into contact with a high-voltage line. One worker was shocked by electricity, Burleson Fire Chief Casey Davis said.
Police say there were three people rescued from the tower, one made it down on his own and a second person needed assistance from rescuers. The third person was successfully rescued shortly before 4 p.m. and taken by ambulance to a burn facility in critical condition, officials said.
“It’s a very technical rescue. It takes special training to be able to go up there and utilize high-angle rescue equipment,” said Burleson Fire Chief Casey Davis. “Nothing usual about this at all.”
“The patient is awake and talking to us, so very promising on the patient’s condition,” said Davis.
Police said power was shut off for the safety of crews during the rescue operation.
Oncor reported as of around 2:30 p.m. that about 5,000 were without power, down to about 50 as of 3 p.m.
It’s unclear which company was working on the cell tower. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
This is a developing story. WFAA will update this story as additional information becomes available.