Suspected copper thief severely burned on utility pole in Dallas

The Dallas Morning News ^ | August 1, 2008 | EMILY TSAO

[Texican72]

A man who may have been trying to steal copper wiring was severely burned on top of a utility pole this morning, Dallas Fire-Rescue said. His rescue was hindered because his flesh had melded with the metal on the pole.

A Dallas Fire-Rescue dispatcher said a passerby called about 5:30 a.m. to report that a man was on top of a utility pole and that wires were sparking above in the 800 block of Regal Row near the Irving border. Police said there had also been reports of power outages in the area.

When crews arrived, they found a person, who was burning, between transformers on the pole, police said.

[caver]

Burning Man

[Freedom_no_exceptions]

Note to self: cancel weekend plans to steal copper wiring.

[pissant]

With in luck, you won’t have to.

[kenmcg]

Another nominee for The National A$$h@le of the Year Award.

[coincheck]

Thanks, now I have to clean my screen because I spit coffee on it laughing. (I like that one!)

[RichInOC]

ZOT!

[BlazingArizona]

His rescue was hindered because his flesh had melded with the metal on the pole.

Now on his resume he says "conductor."

[mikey_hates_everything]

The electricity could have been off and this man unharmed if we selfish bastards didn’t have to run our air conditioners at 72 degrees all the time. I’m so ashamed of ourselves.

[hadit2here]

no doubt we’ll be footing the bill for some extremely expensive medical care and a disability pension if the mutt lives.

Fortunately, he won't live long. Anyone burned over 50% of their body has little chance of survival. And electrical burns are even worse, since most of the damage/burns is internal, not external. Large amounts of internal tissue is fried.

The hospital will try to save him, but it's a losing battle. With so much internal tissue damage, it's just a matter of time- and not a lot at that. But during that time, he will experience the most exquisite retribution for what he's done. I'm sure this isn't his first time doing it.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

To qualify for a Darwin Award the person has to take themselves completely out of the gene pool, not just get close.

[Red Badger]

You have to remove your genes from the pool to be a winner. I think they have made only one exception since it was first started...........

[Old Professer]

The wires themselves were likely not even copper.

[Slings and Arrows]

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[Slings and Arrows]

Theme music

[Condor51]

A man who may have been trying to steal copper wiring was severely burned on top of a utility pole this morning ... His rescue was hindered because his flesh had melded with the metal on the pole.

Now that will leave a mark.

(moron)

[Recovering Hermit]

Bet he won't try that again.

[Figment]

If he was looking for copper, he was looking in the wrong place. Electric transmission lines are aluminum

[StormEye]

"Should have left him up there for the buzzards. They have to eat too."

I agree. Let him cook and leave the rest for the buzzards and as an example to others. This sounds cruel but I feel that the damage these creeps are causing to the general welfare and stabilty of society is worse.

[Figment]

“The wires themselves were likely not even copper”

You beat me to it.Would he have taken the same chance had he known they are aluminum?