MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — Three people, including a 6-year-old boy, suffered severe injuries after coming into contact with a downed power line at a Lake Conroe campground following Tuesday's storms, according to the Montgomery County Fire Marshal's Office.
The Fire Marshal's Office said a 59-year-old man was shocked by the power line. Neighbors found him lying on the ground still in contact with the power line. He had suffered severe burns.
A 56-year-old woman and 6-year-old boy were also hurt in the incident. MCFMO described their injuries as severe, but said how they got them is still under investigation.
Emergency responders were able to stabilize the victims before they were taken to an area hospital.
MCFMO is warning residents to stay at least 10 feet away from downed power lines.
"You do not have to touch a power line to be in danger," MCFMO said. "High-voltage electricity can jump to anyone who gets to close."
The Fire Marshal's Office provided the following power line safety tips:
- If you see a downed power line, move away from it and anything touching it. The ground around power lines – up to 35 feet away – may be energized.
- You cannot tell whether or not a power line is energized just by looking at it. You should assume that all downed power lines are live.
- The proper way to move away from the power line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This will minimize the potential for a strong electric shock.
- If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Call 911 for help.
- Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything else in contact with it by using an object such as a broom or stick. Even non-conductive materials like wood or cloth, can conduct electricity if even slightly wet.
- Be careful not to touch or step in water near where a downed power line is located.
- Do not drive over downed power lines.
- If your car comes in contact with a downed power line while you are inside, stay in the car. Honk your horn to summon help, but direct others to stay away from your car.
- If you must leave your car because it is on fire, jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and avoid contact with both the car and the ground at the same time. Shuffle away from the car.
