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Authorities in Portland, Oregon, said that a person was electrocuted after climbing a 40-foot powerline tower to take a selfie on Wednesday (May 15) night. Portland Fire & Rescue said that miraculously, the person survived, falling 40 feet and landing in some bushes.
A witness told Portland Fire & Rescue that the person appeared to be taking a selfie atop the 40-foot tower. Another witness said they heard a "transformer blow" and watched the person fall from the top of the 57,000-volt powerline tower.
An off-duty paramedic was nearby and rushed to help the person, who was conscious and breathing. Officials said the person was able to walk to the ambulance and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Authorities said that it was unclear if the person actually made contact with the powerline or if it arced and caused them to be electrocuted.
Officials said that "a different, lower-voltage powerline detached from the tower at the time of the incident and fell to the ground across the train tracks."
"The PF&R crew remained on scene after the patient was transported to secure this dangerous scene from the public until PGE was able to ensure all lines associated with this tower were deenergized," the agency said in a press release.