Jul 17, 2008 4:03 pm US/Eastern
2 Roofers Electrocuted, 1 Shocked In Murrysville
Two workers taken to the hospital later died from their injuries while another man was shocked and suffered a leg injury
MURRYSVILLE (KDKA) ―
Officials are investigating after two roofers were electrocuted and another suffered serious injuries after they reportedly tried to pull a piece of scaffolding away from a power line today in Murrysville.
The incident happened in Murrysville along Old William Penn Highway this morning.
KDKA's Paul Martino reports from the scene that officials say the men were workers with a roofing company.
Authorities say they were attempting to put up the scaffolding when it came in contact with the line. The men apparently tried to pull it away and that's when they were shocked.
"At some point the large piece of support bar, we believe, got away from them," Chief Thomas Seefeld, of Murrysville police. "They went to control it and it ended up hitting a high tension line."
A pediatrician working nearby was summoned to help at the scene.
"It's very hard. In pediatrics we almost never lose a patient and for us, I think all of us here are very deeply saddened," said Dr. Sunita Chaudhari. "We'd like to give our respects to the families."
Officials say James Bolen, 52, of Jeannette, and William McNemar, 50, of Turtle Creek, were flown to Forbes Regional Hospital in cardiac arrest and died.
Also, a third man sustained a serious leg injury.
The name of the roofing company is not being released at this time.
Meanwhile, Allegheny Power was called in to fix the line and OSHA is investigating the incident.
Stay with KDKA for the latest developments.
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