6-15-2009(Camden County)MERCHANTVILLE Chapel-Reustle Ave's -High Angle Rescue

At 10:45 A.M. Merchantville and Pennsauken companies were dispatched to Chapel and Reustle Ave’s for a rescue assignment. Crews arrived to find a tree trimmer who was electrocuted while working on a tree, and was stuck 40 feet in the tree. ALS made patient contact via ground ladder to find the occupant conscious and alert with burns on his arm. PSEG was called with a rush to secure the power to the area to allow access to be made to the pt. Pennsauken’s Ladder Company worked from the bucket to bring the victim down. Pennsauken BLS and Camden County ALS treated and transported the victim to Cooper Trauma unit. The victim was later transferred to a burn unit in PA. A witness stated he saw the whole thing happen from across the street. He said it was like a fire ball when the branches came in contact with the power lines.

--Photos NJFG Ted Aurig