Kiwi jihadi Mark John Taylor has been charged under the Terrorism Suppression Act and the Deputy Police Commissioner is under investigation. Video / NZ Herald
A teenager has suffered a serious electric shock after climbing a power pylon in Christchurch this evening.
Police said they were called to the scene on Ashtead Lane in the Sockburn area of the city about 7.40pm.
The youth was stuck very high, at least 25m above the ground, for over an hour.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager said a line crew retrieved him from the powerlines by using a harness and he was returned to the ground around 9.30pm.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said they transported a patient in critical condition to the Christchurch emergency department.
Just Perfect Detailing owner Josh Phillips was nearby as emergency services arrived and believed the teen climbed the pole before grabbing the live wires.
“He’s still holding on to it. I think they may have turned the power off because if he grounds again, he’ll get another shock. It’s pretty bad,” Phillips told the Herald.
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.
“I don’t understand it ... he’s lucky to be alive,” Phillips said.
“He’s sweating, and he’s got quite bad burns, there’s red all over him. His shorts have disintegrated literally, and there were burned bits of fabric underneath the power line he climbed. His arms and legs are charred, and he’s complaining he can’t feel his legs and that he’s cold.”
He said emergency services were gathered around the power pole, but he wasn’t sure if the power had been turned off.
“I don’t know how they’ll get him down, though, because he can’t use his legs,” Phillips said.
“He seems a little dazed, as you would, but he is communicating. Somehow, he’s alive. I’m not sure how.”
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said one ambulance, one rapid response unit and one manager were sent
A Fire and Emergency shift manager said two appliances from Wigram and Ilam were at the scene, as well as a ladder vehicle.
Police said they were assisting ambulance staff. People were advised to avoid the area because roadblocks were in place.
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