Sidney V. Weybright died attempting to rescue Keith I. Karjala from electric shock, St. Helens, Oregon, August 23, 1963. When he climbed a fir tree to 30 feet above the ground, Keith, 13, came into contact with two wires, each of which carried 220 volts of electricity. He lost consciousness, but the dense branches kept him from falling as he slumped over the two wires, which were five feet below another line carrying 7,200 volts of electricity. Among persons attracted were Weybright , 48, dredge operator, and Robert K. Tabor. Weybright climbed the tree and reached a branch slightly higher than Keith, who was breathing heavily. With one arm around the tree trunk, he took hold of Keith and then called for assistance. Tabor immediately climbed the tree at the opposite side of the trunk and from a branch slightly lower than Keith also took hold of him. Weybright’s head then came into contact with the high power line. There was a loud crackle, and both Weybright and Tabor lost consciousness but did not fall from the tree. Firemen, police, and a crew from the electric company arrived. The current was shut off, and Keith, Weybright, and Tabor were removed from the tree. All were dead.
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