Accident Causes Downtown
Power Black Out
A worker earning his
day's pay received an
electrical jolt of
14.000 watts while
trying to install a
water piple in the area
near the Hospital Rafael
Ángel Calderón Guardia
in downtown San José,
causing a blackout that
lasted almost three
hours.
The accident occurred
when workers of a
private contractor was
installing a water
connection for the
hospital's fire
prevention system. Not
wanting, the worker
touched an electrical
cable buried near the
work area that caused
serious burns to his
arm. Fortunately the
emergency room door was
only 50 metres away,
where he received
immediate medical
attention.
Guillermo Rivera, head
of maintenance for the
hospital, said that the
work has been ongoing
for several days that
will provide water to
the entire hospital fire
system.
Carlos Padilla, crew
manager for the Compañía
Nacional de Fuerza y Luz
(light and power
company) said that the
discharge caused a short
circuit and put out the
lights for hours in the
surrounding areas.
One witness to the
blackout said he found
it curious as how one
block would have lights
and the others not.
Many area residents
became concerned as many
feel the downtown core
is insecure enough with
lights, fearing the
worst in the darkness. |
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