Woman electrocuted trying to escape car under fallen power lines, Hawaii police say
A 59-year-old woman died trying to escape after power lines fell on her car in a fiery scene, Hawaii police said.
The woman was inside a parked car Tuesday when power lines crashed on top of the vehicle, the Hawaii Police Department said. She was with a 58-year-old man near a residential property.
The downed power lines caught the car on fire while the two people were inside, police said.
“A portion of a tree fell onto the power lines causing the energized lines to fall and come into contact with the roof of the vehicle and nearby surrounding foliage,” police said Wednesday in a news release. “The downed lines continued to arc on the roof of the vehicle.”
The man climbed through a window in the back of the car safely. The woman followed behind and tried to escape through the same window.
On her way out, she fell on the galvanized gate and crashed into a fence and the car, police said. She was electrocuted.
The man tried to pull the woman to safety, but he was thrown to the ground from the electricity, according to the police department.
When officials arrived, the man was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The woman was taken to Hilo Medical Center and pronounced dead.
Police said they are investigating the incident, and an autopsy will determine the woman’s cause of death. They did not disclose the woman’s name.
What do you do if power lines fall on your car?
If a power line falls on a car, it’s best to stay inside the vehicle, and call 911, Pacific Gas and Electric Company said.
“The ground around your car may be energized,” PG&E said on its website. “Sound the horn, roll down your window and call for help.”
If the car is on fire, you should remove loose clothing and jump from the car with your hands at your sides.
“Keep your hands at your sides and jump clear of the vehicle, so you are not touching the car when your feet hit the ground,” PG&E said. “Keep both feet close together and shuffle away from the vehicle without picking up your feet.”
This story was originally published October 14, 2021 at 12:25 PM with the headline "Woman electrocuted trying to escape car under fallen power lines, Hawaii police say."