Adrien A. Dube, 39, assistant forest ranger, rescued Vaughn A. McManus, 23, assistant forest ranger, from electric shock, Longley, New Brunswick, August 27, 1954. McManus and Dube prepared three dynamite charges at a dam built by beavers in a brook and connected a detonating cable to the charges. They then made their way to a dirt road 75 feet from the brook, McManus unrolling the cable. McManus connected the cable to a small dry cell battery. The charges exploded and demolished the dam. The cable, which was blown high in the air with debris, fell across a power line carrying 11,000 volts of electricity. McManus was shocked violently and fell unconscious on his back, clutching the cable and battery. Electric arcs and smoke were visible at the battery and the ground beneath his head. Dube was attracted and ran to McManus. Standing in wet grass alongside the road, Dube grasped the cable with one hand and gave a hard jerk, receiving a shock before he could release his hold. The cable and battery were pulled from the grasp of McManus and fell to the ground five feet from him, sparking and smoldering for about 10 seconds. Carrying McManus to their automobile, Dube drove seven miles to a hospital. McManus, who suffered severe burns of the head, body, and hands, was hospitalized five months and underwent eight operations including plastic surgery and the amputation of two fingers. Dube sustained no burns but was extremely nervous and nauseated for several days. 43475-4006
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