February 19, 2003

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

City Worker Electrocuted While Clearing Tree Limbs

A Shreveport city worker was listed in good condition after he was electrocuted while trying to cut back a tree line from power cords in the 3200 block of Alabama . . .

The accident happened just after 10:00 a.m. this morning when Oliver Patterson, 45, came into contact with the electric line while cutting limbs back away from the line. Electricity entered Patterson’s body after his left hand came into contact with the power line. Paramedics described two entrance wounds to the left index finger as suffering from first and second degree burns. The electricity exited through the left outside elbow, leaving second and third degree burns in its path. According to officials on the scene, the damage on the outside skin was visible but what was not known was the extent of the damage to the area under the skin of the left forearm.

Anytime electricity enters a persons body there is usually a distinguishable mark but it is the exit that is easily recognizable because it is almost always larger and more severe, as in this case. The damage that is done while the electric current rushed through Patterson’s body was not known on the scene, but officials said the that no life threatening problems associated with the electrocution were noted. Patterson was taken to LSUSHCS for further evaluation ###