Injury

TURNER

Posted By: Jo (email)
Date: 5/24/2007 at 22:09:18

RAY TURNER SERIOUSLY BURNED AT ELECTRIC PLANT SATURDAY
Ray Turner, an employee of the local Iowa Electric Co., had a miraculous escape from death about ten o'clock Saturday forenoon while at work at the local plant on East Platt street. Ray was in charge of the plant at the time and was alone there attending to his regular duties. He was using an oil soaked rage dusting off the machinery at the time of the accident, and thoughtlessly flourished his rag across the switchboard which carried a 33,000 voltage. The rag formed an arc and the heavy current passed thru his arm to his body, rendering him momentarily unconscious. After partial recovery from the terrific shock Ray crawled to the door and called for help, which was quickly at hand. He was hurried to the hospital where physicians found that his arm had been severely burned, his body seriously scorched and his clothing considerably charred. Electricians are unable to explain how death was averted but presume that the shock knocked Mr. Turner to the floor and a sufficient distance from the switch to break the arc. Ray was removed to his home in the Third ward today where he is resting quite comfortably and it is probable that no permanent injury will be sustained.
DATE OF EVENT: April 10, 1926
SOURCE: Private collection of newspaper clippings