Electrical hazards cause more than 300 deaths and 4,000 injuries each year among the U.S. workforce. Among causes of workplace deaths in America, electrocution ranks sixth. While the construction industry makes up the majority of all fatal electrocutions, the agricultural industry is also affected. Each year numerous children and adults are electrocuted, sometimes fatally, by coming into contact with floating phases, downed power lines, or objects like green wood or fences that are in contact with downed wires.
USA Today reports on a Florida baseball coach and wife who were fatally electrocuted while installing a new scoreboard.
Hurricane Michael knocked over Liberty County High School’s scoreboard, they decided to order another one. When it came in, the head coach of the Liberty County High School’s varsity baseball team and his wife went out to install it.
Coach Corey Crum and his wife, Shana Crum were killed when they were electrocuted while installing the new scoreboard. Their son, Chase Crum, was injured.
Kyle Peddle, who is a parent of one of the baseball players said that Coach Crum was on a lift and somehow got into a power line. When his wife rushed to aid him, she, too, was electrocuted.
Crum was in his first year as head coach of the varsity baseball team. He had spent the previous year coaching the junior varsity team.
All indications are that this was a tragic accident. The school had grief counselors available for staff and students in need.
