Local Incidents
Number of New Electrical Leaks Shocks Con Ed
Bill Sanderson, www.nypost.com, December 15, 2008
The New York Post reports that Con Edison found 7,117 electrified objects on New York CIty's streets between January 1 and October 31 in 2008, which is 468 more than were found during 2007. Read the Full Story.
Dozens Of Birds Zapped On New Jersey Utility Line
www.newsday.com, November 23, 2008
A Woman from Garfield, NJ has found dozens of dead birds that were electrocuted by an overhead wire on River Drive and asked Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) to check the lines. Read what PSE&G believes caused the problem.
Tower Of Power Turns Into A Tourist Trap
By Kristen Brown, Daily News, Saturday, August 9, 2008
A power outage trapped hundreds of tourists in the Empire State Building. Over one hundred were stuck above the 80th floor. Read the Full Story.
Dog Killed By Stray Voltage On New York Sidewalk
By Julia Szabo Posted on www.fetchdog.com May 28, 2008
A 7-year-old Siberian Husky named Sebastian, was killed by stray voltage while out for a walk Sunday night in Queens, New York. The dog lifted a leg to pee on a light pole, and was killed by a jolt of electricity. Sebastian's owner, Celia Sing, a civilian employee of the NYPD, is devastated. "All I did was take him for a walk. I haven't slept since this whole thing happened. I'm a walking zombie. I close my eyes and I still see him shaking." Read the Full Story.
Amen, It's Manhole Mayhem
By Patrick Gallahue, N.Y. Post, May 1, 2008
May Day wasn't a playday for commuters, when a manhole fire in the West Village shutdown a NYC Path Train between 33rd Street and Journal Square, Hoboken. Read the Full Story.
Bronx Shock
By Dave Carlin, CBS 2 News, Nov 19, 2007
Man got shocked and burned after stepping on manhole cover while crossing the street in the Bronx. Read the Full Story. Con Edison visited the site and said it wasn't Stray Voltage. Read the Full Story.
Jodie Lane
Roger Lane, whose daughter was tragically electrocuted in 2004 when she fell against a service box in Manhattan, testified at the January 24, 2008 City Council Briefing with Transportation Chair and City Councilman John Liu. Both advised that Con Ed is misleading the city on Stray Voltage. Read the Briefing Paper.
Four years later, stray voltage continues to be a problem; read the NYTimes article, and watch NY1's coverage of the Hearing.
Con Ed Hires Livery Drivers To Guard High-Voltage Areas
NY1 & NYDaily News, May 3, 2007
Con Edison hired 1,000 Livery Drivers to guard high voltage areas until service crews were able to make the repairs.
Read the coverage as reported by NY1 and New York Daily News.
National Incidents
Baltimore
After learning about the problems other cities have had with stray voltage, Baltimore is taking a proactive approach to help people and hopefully avoid more problems.
Boston
Boston is unique as Mayor Thomas Menino appointed a Task Force to make area residents more aware of possible electrical problems and encourage their pro-action.
Chicago
Stray voltage is a growing problem in Chicago, and the City is being encouraged to address the issue.
Philadelphia
Confronted with massive growth, Philadelphia continues the hard work of balancing an efficient Public Transit Systems and safety.
Washington DC
Several dangerous manhole explosions have occurred in Washington since 1971, and the city is still working to identify the problems and improve their underground electrical system.
Tragic Thanksgiving in Mishawaka, Indiana
www.wsbt.com, November 28, 2008
Family is grieving the loss of their 5 year old son, who was electrocuted after crawling inside an open transformer box. Read the Full Story.
Live Wires Burn
By Lysa Chen, NJ.com, August 1, 2008
A 6 year old boy was electrocuted while playing at Audubon Park in Jersey City. Read the Full Story.
By Erin Maloney, MyCFN & WCIA 3 News, July 24, 2008
An 8 year old boy was shocked and later died after he came in contact with a utility pole while playing in a softball tournament in Bartonville, Illinois. Read the Full Story.
Live Wire Burns Young Girl At Bus Stop
By Hamil R. Harris, Washington Post, Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A 6 year old girl was waiting for a bus with her family at a bus stop, when she grabbed the live wire at a Chillin bus stop in Prince George's County, D.C. Read the Full Story.
Boy Shocked Off Fence
By Geoff Liesik Sunday, Deseret News, June 1, 2008 12:15 a.m.
An 8 year old boy was electrocuted and nearly killed while climbing a fence to watch a baseball game in Vernal, Utah. Read the Full Story.
No Parking, No Kidding!
By Jeff Overley, Orange County Register, March 3, 2008
A man who says he received an electrical shock when he touched a "no parking" sign on the Balboa Peninsula, California. Read the Full Story.
Sunshine State Black Out
NYPost, February 27, 2007
Equipment failure and fire in Miami substation leaves three million people in the dark. The Sunshine State had the nation's highest average of stray voltage episodes surging in June. Read the Full Story.
International Incidents
Dog's Deadly Lampost Encounter
www.smh.com, February 23, 2005
Three year old Mastiff was electrocuted while urinating on a lamppost in Wavrechain-sous-Denain, France. The owner was hospitalized from an electrical shock when he tried to help him. Read the Full Story.
Merlin Zapped on Station Lane
MorleyObserver.co.uk, September 10, 2008
An Animal Sanctuary owner was riding her 11 year old horse in East Ardsley, England when it suddenly suffered and later died from an electrical shock on the street. Read the Full Story.
Stray Voltage Kills Dog, Toronto Councilman Takes Action
Toronto Sun, November 21, 2008
City Councilman saw a dog being delivered to the Vet across the street from his office, learned what happened and immediately followed up with the President of Toronto Hydro, who had the location inspected. Read the Full Story.
Dog Electrocuted Standing By Faulty Lamppost
www.telegraph.co.uk, By Auslan Cramb, Scottish Correspondent, February 27, 2008
A couple's 65 pound Husky was electrocuted when they stopped near a lamppost. After reporting the incident, the electrical crew found smoking wires. Read the Full Story.