Christchurch teen in critical condition after electric shock when climbing power pylon

A teenager who suffered a serious electric shock after climbing a power pylon in Christchurch yesterday remains in a critical condition.

Police were called to Ashtead Lane in Sockburn at 7.40pm after the youth became stuck about 25m up the pylon.

He was there for more than an hour as emergency services worked out how to safely remove him.

The youth was stuck very high, at least 25m above the ground, for over an hour.

A line crew retrieved him from the powerlines by using a harness and he was returned to the ground at 9.30pm.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said they transported a patient in critical condition to the Christchurch emergency department.

Witness Josh Phillips believed the teen climbed the pole before grabbing the live wires.

Emergency services have rushed to the scene.

Phillips said he was amazed the teenager was still alive, but was confused as to why he climbed the power pylon in the first place.

He said the teen had “quite bad burns” and his “arms and legs were charred”.

“His shorts have disintegrated literally, and there were burned bits of fabric underneath the power line he climbed,” he said.

He said the teen was “dazed” but able to communicate.

Police this morning confirmed the teen remained in Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition.

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