Shock to the heart, and you're to blame, baby you give Darwin a bad name

Doglips · 10-06-2004, 06:59 AM

Man's Death Cuts Power To 4,000 Homes

Tue Oct 5, 3:52 PM ET Local - WYFF TheCarolinaChannel.com

Some 4,000 homes were without power for much of Monday evening after power crews made a grisly discovery.

Duke Power spokesman Randy Britton said Duke Power crews were investigating reports of a power outage in the Wellford area of Spartanburg County shortly before 5 p.m.

When crews arrived at a substation off Highway 29, they found a man dead at the base of a transformation tower.

The Spartanburg County Coroner's office said Charles Thomas, of Startex, died at the substation. Officials believe Thomas cut a hole in the security fence, climbed onto a transformer and was cutting wires and cables in an attempt to steal copper wire.

Investigators believe Thomas was electrocuted, but will wait for autopsy results to make a final determination.

Britton said power was shut off to approximately 4,000 homes, and most of the power couldn't be restored until the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office completed its investigation into the death.

10-06-2004, 06:59 AM	#1
Doglips Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cocoa Florida Posts: 9,088	Shock to the heart, and you're to blame, baby you give Darwin a bad name Man's Death Cuts Power To 4,000 Homes Tue Oct 5, 3:52 PM ET Local - WYFF TheCarolinaChannel.com Some 4,000 homes were without power for much of Monday evening after power crews made a grisly discovery. Duke Power spokesman Randy Britton said Duke Power crews were investigating reports of a power outage in the Wellford area of Spartanburg County shortly before 5 p.m. When crews arrived at a substation off Highway 29, they found a man dead at the base of a transformation tower. The Spartanburg County Coroner's office said Charles Thomas, of Startex, died at the substation. Officials believe Thomas cut a hole in the security fence, climbed onto a transformer and was cutting wires and cables in an attempt to steal copper wire. Investigators believe Thomas was electrocuted, but will wait for autopsy results to make a final determination. Britton said power was shut off to approximately 4,000 homes, and most of the power couldn't be restored until the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office completed its investigation into the death.