The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A BEC worker was airlifted to New Providence today suffering from first and second degree burns to his left arm and leg after coming into contact with live power lines on the island of Exuma.

According to the corporation’s general manager, Kevin Basden, the worker is now in stable condition at Doctor’s Hospital after undergoing minor surgery. This was the only reported case of electrical shock during Hurricane Sandy.

“The one unfortunate situation we made mention of was one of our own,” the corporation’s general manager said.

“He made contact with a power line while carrying out some restoration efforts. That matter is presently under investigation. We would not want to say anymore on that at this point in time.”

“I also want to join the chairman and express on behalf of our management team to regret that one of our employees was injured. He is presently in good spirits, but he did suffer some burns to his arm and to his leg.”

BEC’s Chairman Leslie Miller during a press conference yesterday also expressed gratitude for the worker’s effort and others in Exuma on behalf of the corporation and Prime Minister Perry Christie and Works Minister Philip Davis.

“And we want to say how happy we are that he is not injured severely,” the chairman added.

The Tribune understands that the worker came in contact with the live power lines sometime around 10am. After the initial shock, the worker reportedly could not feel the left side of his body.

He was taken to the local clinic before being flown to Nassau to undergo surgery at Doctor’s Hospital.

The operation was successful, according to Mr Miller, who in yesterday’s press conference praised the efforts of the men and women who work at BEC.

“I can tell you that the men and women in this room are board members who have been here from start to finish, who did a wonderful job and what they showed us is the fact that we as Bahamians at BEC, that all Bahamians could be proud at the magnitude of BEC workers.

“Every single one of those men and women that you see in the field today, did a magnificent job in restoring power at the most severe conditions from the time the hurricane started on Thursday, they were out there.

“When people complain that their light is off in certain areas, they got to appreciate that the whole team of 87 had to go out first and assess what the problems were and that team has to go back and do repairs. You had one team that did basically everything that was necessary and Mr Basden and his team did a magnificent job. It shows a lot as chairman, and showed me a lot as a politician, that as a people, we are more than capable of handling our own against anyone, anywhere in the world,” he said.