Worker Using Boring Machine In San Jose Shocked By Underground Live Wire
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A construction worker using a boring machine at an underground site in San Jose Wednesday morning was shocked by a live wire, sending him to the hospital, fire and PG&E officials said.
Firefighters responded at 9:55 a.m. to the area of Kiely Boulevard and Norwalk Drive behind a nearby Lion Supermarket, San Jose fire spokesman Joshua Padron said.
According to PG&E spokeswoman Tamar Sarkissian, a third-party contractor was operating the boring machine when he made contact with an underground electric power line.
Padron said the worker, a 40-year-old man, was taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. He did not immediately know the extent of the man's injuries.
PG&E crews responded and de-energized the power line, Sarkissian said. Padron said the scene was declared under control within about an hour.
About 800 PG&E customers in the area briefly lost power as a result of the incident but had it restored quickly, according to Sarkissian. Final repairs on the line could take several hours to complete, she said shortly before 1 p.m.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured party," Sarkissian said.
She urged contractors not to use heavy machinery like a boring machine when an underground power line is nearby and said anyone doing a digging project should call 811 beforehand to mark any underground utility lines.
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