Posted on 08/23/2012 8:58:31 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Two women were electrocuted Wednesday night and six other people were injured following a car accident in Valley Village, authorities said.
The crash occurred at 8:25 p.m. in the 1200 block of Magnolia Boulevard, at Ben Avenue, near Laurel Canyon.
The driver of a white SUV was attempting to turn the corner at Magnolia when he lost control and hit a fire hydrant and light pole, fire officials said.
As a result, the live wires from the pole came in contact with the water from the hydrant.
Two women were electrocuted trying to save victims.
“One of those victims was a neighbor. She was a resident who lived very close by. Maybe across the street. The other, as I understand it, was a husband and wife traveling in the same direction of the vehicle, and they came out to help the first lady who went down. They attempted to rescue the first woman. And in the process, she too, was electrocuted,” LAPD Capt. Peter Whittingham said.
“I saw two women laying on the sidewalk. And I saw three men trying to pull them away to safety, but they kept getting shocked. And I saw the women barely moving and then they were still,” witness James Pike said.
The women were pronounced dead at a local hospital, officials said.
At least five people, including one police officer, were shocked and required treatment, says Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department. One person was treated on scene.
Yes, I’ve heard of this kind of thing before with live wires: Anyone who attempts to rescue gets electrocuted. Sad that these women meant well, but really needed to call 911. Tragic.
Yup, here in the northeast we use traffic hydrants. The valve is actually six feet down. Not Pressurized until the valve is turned on.
The hydrant is made to break away (without water spraying)if hit by a car.
California is known for these fully pressurized hydrants. In fact, here we call those kind “California Hydrants”.
When I did First Aid/First Response training the anacronym that was used was DR ABC the DR was for danger and is always the first thing anyone should look out for in a First Response situation. What I told my kids - no point being a dead hero!
Mel
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