John R. Ryan, 21, lineman, rescued George H. Goggans, 37, lineman, from electric shock, Winfield, Kansas, September 12, 1955. While Goggans and Ryan were at work 25 feet above the ground on an electric utility pole which supported eight power-lines on cross-arms, Goggans accidentally came in contact with a line carrying 2,400 volts of electricity. Goggans, who was holding a lightning arrester equipped with a wire leading to the ground, was shocked and slumped inert in his safety-helt, smoke issuing from his shoulder, which remained against the wire. Ryan at once reached around the pole and struck Goggans a hard blow on the chest, knocking him free of the power-line. Goggans sagged backward and began making convulsive movements . Fearing Goggans again might touch a power-line, Ryan unfastened his own safety-belt and with difficulty climbed around the lowest cross-arm to the side of the pole next to Goggans. Extending his head upward into a narrow space between power-lines which were six inches from him, Ryan lifted Goggans to an erect position, pinning him against the pole with his chest. Ryan revived Goggans by raising and lowering his arms. A foreman who was summoned climbed a pole 300 feet away and shut off the current. Goggans and Ryan then descended the pole. Goggans sustained burns of the hands and shoulder which healed in two months. 43615-4022
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