Dennis F. Nobles died attempting to rescue James T. Bolton from electric shock, Raleigh, North Carolina, July 17, 1970. Bolton, 37, drilling rig operator, backed a rig to a position near overhead power lines and alighted from the cab. The rig drifted slightly; and its boom came into contact with a high voltage electric line which was uninsulated. When Bolton grasped the door handle of the rig’s cab and put one foot on the runningboard, he received an electrical charge. Nobles, 28, lineman, made a flying tackle along the side of the rig, grasping Bolton around the chest and knocking him free of the electrical contact. Bolton fell to the ground; and Nobles landed on him, but momentum caused him to slide off. One elbow of Nobles then came into contact with a metal wheel rim of the rig; and he received an electrical charge. The power line burned through and dropped from contact with the rig; but both Bolton and Nobles were dead.
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