:: rawblogXport ::

:: Sunday, May 30, 2004 ::

UPPER W. SIDE WORKER CLINGS TO LIFE AFTER ELECTRIC SHOCK By BILL GALLAGHER and ZACH HABERMAN, New York Post
A 34-year-old immigrant construction worker suffered an electric shock that left him fighting for his life when he tried to dismantle a rain-soaked makeshift light fixture on an Upper West Side scaffolding yesterday, officials said.

Polish-born Slawomir Dytrych of Brooklyn was doing brickwork on the façade of 150 W. 74th St. when he climbed up a metal fence at 4:20 p.m. to dismantle an illegal light fixture that was allegedly installed by a tenant who felt the area was too dark, cops and witnesses said.

He was then jolted with 30 amperes of electricity when he touched a pole supporting the scaffolding while trying to unplug the shoddy light, cops said.

"He basically grounded himself out," said the owner of Epic Restoration, who did not want to give his name. "It was like a booby trap. It's horrible."

As the electricity coursed through Dytrych's body, a fellow worker grabbed a rubber garbage can and knocked him away from the pole, the owner said.

posted 8:10 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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