Electricity travels 42 feet to kill construction worker in ditch, PA officials say
A Pennsylvania construction worker was fatally electrocuted Monday after electricity traveled 42 feet from the power source, police say.
Emergency responders were sent to a work site in Spring Township Monday afternoon after 27-year-old Anthony Laterzo was struck by an electrical charge while working, police say.
Laterzo was in a ditch working on installing a new sewer line when a worker digging the ditch in an excavator came close to an overhead power line, police say.
The electrical charge then went through the excavator and to the ground before going through Laterzo — traveling 42 feet total, police say. The Hawk Run native died while at the scene.
Electricity experts advise people to remain at least 35 feet away from a downed power line to be safe. Additionally, shocks are known to travel through other objects, including tree limbs, fences, hoses and even the ground.
If someone is injured by a power line, experts advise calling 911 and maintaining distance.
Coroner Scott Sayers determined the death to be “an accidental high voltage electrocution.”
Police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the incident. OSHA has six months to complete their investigation.
This story was originally published October 28, 2021 at 8:27 AM with the headline "Electricity travels 42 feet to kill construction worker in ditch, PA officials say."
