Grover Clifton Peoples, 23, student, died rescuing George E. Hart, 24, student, from electric shock, Cullowhee, North Carolina, September 7, 1959. Attempting to salvage an antenna wire at a dormitory at Western Carolina College, Hart cut the wire outside the building and pulled on it to free the other end, which was held atop a nearby tree by a dirt filled bottle. When the wire sagged and made contact with an uninsulated power line carrying 2,400 volts of electricity, a violent shock knocked Hart to the ground with his hand, around which the wire was coiled, drawn against his chest. He remained conscious but was unable to release the wire, which was partially grounded where it touched the lawn between him and the power line. His calls for help attracted other students, including Peoples. Sparks sputtered at Harts chest, and his shirt was smouldering. With a knitted cotton shirt over his hands, Peoples grasped the wire and pulled it away from Hart and also clear of the lawn. The wire, which still was touching the power line, made contact with the arm of Peoples. He dropped the shirt and fell to the ground with both fists clasping the wire against his chest. A straw broom was obtained, and with it another student raised the wire to break contact with the power line. The wire was removed from Peoples, who had sustained deep burns on his hands, arm, and back. He was given artificial respiration, and two physicians administered oxygen and adrenalin but could not revive him. Hart, who had received burns on his hand and back, was hospitalized and recovered. 44855-4304
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