Worker hospitalized for burns after touching live power line in southern Utah

A man was flown to Las Vegas to be treated for burns he received after touching a live power line Tuesday while working on a substation in southern Utah.

A man was flown to Las Vegas to be treated for burns he received after touching a live power line Tuesday while working on a substation in southern Utah. (Chris D Swabb, Shutterstock)


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LONG VALLEY JUNCTION, Kane County — A man was flown to Las Vegas to be treated for burns he received while working at an electric substation in southern Utah.

Garkane Energy Cooperative employee Tony Baird, 47, was working on a substation near the junction of U.S. 89 and state Route 14 about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Baird touched a live 7,200-volt power line on the substation at Tod's Country Store and electricity traveled through his arm and shoulder, Garkane Energy Cooperative said in a statement.

Baird suffered severe burns from the accident and was flown by medical helicopter to the University Medical Center Lions Burn Care Center in Las Vegas, according to the Kane County Sheriff's Office.

Garkane Energy Cooperative said the latest reports indicate Baird is stable, but experiencing pain.

"On behalf of the entire Garkane family, we continue to pray for Tony's comfort and for his recovery, as well as for his family. Living in rural areas like this, the entire community is affected by difficult things like this ... and we appreciate everyone's support," Garkane's statement says.

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Cassidy Wixom is an award-winning reporter for KSL.com. She covers Utah County communities and breaking news. Cassidy graduated from BYU before joining KSL in 2022.
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