Evening star., 1907-11-10
SURVIVES THE SHOCK
Body of Electric Repairmm
BIazes Like Straw.
CONTACT WITH LIVE WIRE
Fellow Worker Pulls Helpless
Friend From Pit.
FIRST-AID REMEDIES APPLIED
Spectator Sustains Burns Caused by
Explosion Of Oil Torch
Sent to Hospital.
CONTACT WITH LIVE WIRE
FIRsT.A1D REMEDIES APPLIED

Although all the voltage OF the 9th street
car conduit service passed through his
body. causing it to blaze like pile Of
straw, William Cole, twenty-seven years
Of age, Of 928 Pennsylvania avenue. an
electric repairman Of the washington
Railway and Electric Company. is still
alive. At the Emergency Hospital 1t was
stated that he will probably recover
In connection with the same accident,
which tied up the 9th and g street car
lines for nearly two hours about 8 o'clock
last evening. Walter Pervis, thirteen years
OF age, Of s05 18th street, who was watch
ing the repair gang, was burned by the
explosion Of an oil torch. He also was
taken to the Emergency Hospital, and it
was found that. although painfully burned
about the face. hands and legs. he will
probably recover.
The trouble which resulted in the in
juries to the man and boy was caused by
a southbound car Of the 9th street line
losing q plow just after 1t crossed the G
street line. The plow. which takes the
current from the underground conduit, be-
came caught in the slot and was pulled
To repair the damage thus caused and
enable the other cars to pass that point
the repair wagon was called.
Reaches Into Pit.
With several other workmen Cole be-
gan to remove the plow. he lying on the
pavement and reaching into pit through
which the conduit runs. He wore rub
Der gloves, which were regarded as suf-
ficient protection.
In order to obtain better view Of the
pit in which the plow was held Cole
poked his head into the hole. 1t is be-
lieved that one Of the live wires Of the
rent through his body. He collapsed with
a groan. and those in the crowd which
had gathered noticed the mans body
wrapped in sheet OF flame
fellow workman. who was standing i'm
mediately back of Cole, is believed to
have saved the latter's life. Herbert
quickly pulled Cole from the pit. The
fact that Herbert was wearing rubber
gloves is Believed to have protected him
from the current.
Cole was apparently dead when pulled
from the pit, but his fellow workmen be-
gan to apply first aid remedies, and soon
slight Indications of life were noted Po-
liceman W. II. Beckett, stationed at the
crossing at 9th and G streets, telephoned
| to the Emergency Hospital and in the
| ambulance Cole was hurried to that in
stitution. He was revived. but was found
to be much exhausted from shock. His
condition late last night was regarded by
| the surgeons as being so favorable that
they have strong hopes of his recovery
Oil Torch Explodes.
The second accident occurred about
| twenty minutes after the first. The re-
moval Of the plow was accomplished and
the repairren went to the car which had
lost the plow to make repairs to It, A
large crowd followed, among the number
being Walter Pervis. The workmen were
compelled to labor under the car and an
oil torch was used.
The torch was accidentally dropped on
the track as the car was being moved and
wheel smashed the can. An explosion
followed and the oil was thrown in all
directions. 1t spattered over Pervis, set
ting his clothing afire.
l. AS soon as the boys clothing was dis
covered to be burning Policeman Creamer
and several citizens ran to him and put
out the flames, but not before the boys
face and legs had been scorched.
Again the ambulance OF the Emergency
Hospital was called and Pervis was re-
moved TO that institution. 1t Is expected
that he will be confined to bed for q few
days only,