Deadly Accident in Northeast Portland
In a heartbreaking incident in northeast Portland, a live power line, brought down by a falling tree branch, landed on an SUV, resulting in the deaths of two adults and a teenager. This tragic event unfolded on Wednesday in the Russel Neighborhood, drawing an urgent response from Portland Fire & Rescue.
Catastrophic Sequence of Events
As the power line made contact with their vehicle, the occupants, overwhelmed by fear, exited the SUV. Tragically, they were electrocuted upon touching the ground, which acted as a conduit for the electric current from the live wire. Nearby, a quick-thinking passerby managed to rescue a 2-year-old child from one of the fatally injured adults, saving the toddler from the electrified area.
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Safety Warnings and Community Impact
This devastating occurrence has led local authorities to emphasize the dangers of downed power lines. Dameon Pesanti from Clark Public Utilities advised that it’s crucial to treat all downed wires as live and potentially deadly. He recommended staying inside the vehicle if a wire falls on it and immediately contacting emergency services. This advice is particularly pertinent as the Portland metro area has recently seen a spate of fatalities attributed to adverse winter conditions, with at least ten deaths reported since Friday.
Response and Support
Following the tragedy, local schools, particularly Milwaukie High School, where one of the victims, sophomore Ta’Ron Briggs, studied, have mobilized support services for students and staff affected by the incident. The community is reminded of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of winter weather and the importance of emergency preparedness.