MAN IN SERIOUS CONDITION AFTER BEING ELECTROCUTED IN GRAVENHURST HYDRO COMPOUND MONDAY

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — An unknown intruder was electrocuted with life-threatening injuries late this afternoon after entering a hydro compound and becoming trapped.

Police are trying to identify the man, who was described as about 20 to 30 years old.

They say that on Monday at 5:38 p.m., OPP, Muskoka EMS and Gravenhurst Fire Department were dispatched to an ongoing incident in a parking lot behind the town hall at 5 Pineridge Gate.

Power in the neighbourhood as far as the main street traffic lights was disrupted initially and was also turned off a half hour later in a wider section of the west side of Muskoka Road and at traffic lights on Bethune Drive in an attempt to rescue the man.

Witnesses reported a male party was in the parking lot and caused significant damage to more than one vehicle in the lot.

The man then moved to the rear of the parking lot and was able to access a fenced area containing high voltage equipment and while causing damage to the equipment inside, and was electrocuted.

However, police said late tonight that due to the complexity of the situation and present risks, accessing the area to apply medical care was “tedious.”

The incident just before 6 p.m. began in a back parking lot of the Town of Gravenhurst municipal office and involved vehicles, before the man aged 20 to 30 entered the Elexicon hydro compound where he was electrocuted. Photos Mark Clairmont

The male party was soon transported to hospital with significant and life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing, and the individual has not been identified.

He is described as a white male between the ages of 20 and 30 and was wearing a red and black crew neck sweatshirt and red track pants.

Police are asking anyone in the area who may have information or video surveillance to call police with any helpful information. If you have information on these events, please call Bracebridge OPP at 1-800-310-1122 or you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you wish to remain anonymous.

Police say emergency personnel had trouble accessing the man due to the live hydro wires.
The fenced in area around a transformer is well-marked with signs warning of danger entering them.
A social media post shows police and paramedics at the scene behind Gravenhurst’s town hall late Monday afternoon. Photo social media 

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