Two Killed in South Carolina When Scissor Lift Hit Power Lines

Two utility workers in North Charleston were killed when the scissor lift they were using struck live power lines, causing a fire.

Local news outlets reported that witnesses said the 25-year-old men, working at night Jan. 6, did not have flashlights and used only a cell phone light. A witness warned them they were too close to overhead lines, the Post and Courier newspaper reported.

Fire crews responded to calls but were initially unable to douse the flames until the power company shut off electrical supply to that area. Dominion Energy responded and cut power, allowing fire fighters to control the fire, according to news outlets.

The men and the company they worked for had not been publicly identified by Tuesday, and it was unclear if they were independent contractors. A Dominion spokesman said the men were not employees of the utility company.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

Topics Numbers South Carolina