August 2003
A sailor needed to move his dinghy and trailer some distance by hand. Although the dangers of overhead electricity cables were clear, it appears they were either not seen or not heeded. His masthead touched the cables and he was fatally electrocuted. A second person was injured when he tried to release the electrocuted man.
As is often the case, the oldest lessons remain the best. Be aware of overhead electric cables if your activity takes you or your equipment into proximity with them. Do not touch someone who is in contact with a cable - use a wooden pole of some sort.
More information can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/topics/electricity.htm - this is mainly aimed at agricultural work but contains some relevant points.
