3 hospitalized after suffering flash burns while working on electrical panel

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WEST VALLEY City — Three workers were transported to area hospitals with electrical burns Saturday when they were shocked while working on a live breaker panel outside a warehouse.

Workers with an electrical contractor were working on a big breaker box about 9:15 a.m. outside the warehouse at 4837 W. 2400 South, when the flash electrocution occurred, said West Valley Fire Battalion Chief Nick Dodge.

The cause of the electrocution is still under investigation, Dodge said, but it was clear the panel was still live when the accident happened. The fire department initially received reports of five patients and responded with as many ambulances, even dispatching a helicopter.

Three workers were transported to local hospitals, and the helicopter was called off. Two suffered burns isolated to their hands and faces, while another suffered "significant burns" to the "whole front of his body," Dodge said. The worker with the most serious injuries was taken to the burn center at University of Utah Hospital.

Rocky Mountain Power and other private investigative entities, like workman's compensation representatives, were on scene. The building houses a Best Buy warehouse and apparel manufacturer Trevco.

No information was released about the contracting company.

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Collin Leonard

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Collin Leonard is a reporter for KSL.com. He covers federal and state courts, as well as northern Utah communities and military news. Collin is a graduate of Duke University.