A FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1737, 16 December 1887, Page 3

A FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT

» A shocking accident Is reported to have occurred In Lincoln (Nebraska) oa September 22. Hanging from a telegraph pole, and lying along the ground for a distance, was a broken telephone Vvire, which had m some manner become crossed or m connection with one of the electric light wires. As Smith, a workman was passing along the street he saw the wire burning, and attraoted by the strange appaaranoe, and not realising what It was, took hold of it to examine it. The shock he received was terrific, and Lis shrieks brought hundreds to the street. He oould not loosen his hold on tbe wire, and it burned his hands to the bone. In hiß wriihlngs and contortions the charged wire oame m contact with bis head, burning out one of hiß eyes and laylnft the side of hia face open. Whereover it struck hia body it cut like a knife. A bystander, realising the peril of the man, ran to bim and grabbed him to pull him from the wire, bnt, by the shock he received whon he came m contact with the body of the m?n, he was knocked ten feet into the street and utterly prostrated so that it was feared he was killed. By this time the electricity had either burned the man Smith loose from the wire, or ho had succeeded In his struggle ln breaking away. He was picked up and carried an adj <ining restaurant, and half-a--dozens physicians summoned. Tho man presented a horrible appearance when taken to the hospital.