Tuesday, February 26, 2002
A First Energy spokesman said the company is still investigating the cause of the accident.
BOARDMAN -- An area man was at the Children's Medical Center of Akron burn center after being shocked while working on power lines Monday morning at the intersection of Market Street and McClurg Road.
Wally Ketzel, 47, a 24-year employee of First Energy, was installing electrical wire at a construction site when the accident happened, First Energy officials said.
Keith Hamilton, Boardman Fire Department assistant chief, said his department received an emergency call at 9:41 a.m. from someone saying Ketzel had come in contact with high-powered electrical lines. Hamilton said Ketzel was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Health Center Boardman branch and later transferred to the main campus in Youngstown.
Officials said Hamilton was conscious when he was taken to the hospital. St. Elizabeth officials would not comment on his condition, but said Ketzel was to be taken to the burn center in Akron.
Ralph Dinicola, First Energy director of communications, said the accident is under investigation, but the company's first concern is to make sure Ketzel recovers.
"We are trying to determine how the accident occurred. Obviously, in these situations, if there is a lesson to be learned we want to learn it," Dinicola added.
According to Dinicola, First Energy is among the top five utility companies nationally for employee safety.