Person climbs powerline tower to take selfie, gets electrocuted & falls 40 feet

by SHELBY SLAUGHTER, ALLISON BERRY | KATU STAFF
Fri, May 17th 2024 at 3:24 PM

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A person survived electrocution and a 40-foot-fall off of a powerline tower in southeast Portland after climbing the tower to take a selfie, Portland Fire & Rescue says.

PF&R says the incident happened around 5 p.m. Wednesday evening along the railroad tracks near Sellwood Riverfront Park.

A witness told PF&R the person was taking a selfie on the 40-foot-tall steel tower, and another witness described hearing "a transformer blow" and then saw the person fall from the tower to the ground. Rick Graves with Portland Fire and Rescue says the current conditions of the person are unknown.

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Luckily an off-duty paramedic was nearby when the fall happened, and they were able to provide medical attention until PF&R teams and an ambulance arrived. … The person was conscious and breathing and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

PF&R says it's not clear if the person touched the powerline or if the powerline arced and caused the electrocution. … Fire crews want to remind you: No selfie is worth risking your life.

KATU has received reports claiming the person is a minor, but we are waiting on officials to confirm this information.

Person climbs power line tower for selfie and gets electrocuted, Oregon rescuers say

BY HELENA WEGNER MAY 16, 2024 9:12 AM



A person climbed this power line tower and was electrocuted May 15 in Portland, Oregon, rescuers said. Portland Fire & Rescue

A person climbed up a high-voltage power line tower for a selfie, got electrocuted and fell 40 feet in Oregon, rescuers said. They fell just after 5 p.m. May 15 near Sellwood Riverfront Park, Portland Fire & Rescue said in a news release.

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