Worker dies when metal ladder touches electrical lines

Three men were injured — two seriously — after the ladder they were working on came into contact with an electrical line Monday night during a heavy rainstorm in Saltsburg, the borough fire chief said.

The unidentified men were working on a roof shortly before 7:45 p.m. at Faith Alliance Church on Wood Street when the incident occurred, fire Chief John Dice said.

Two of the men were described to emergency responders at the scene as in "cardiac arrest," Dice said. The third was conscious and talking.

The three men, all Hispanic, were taken to Excela Health Latrobe Hospital. Information about their conditions couldn't be obtained last night. A police report about the incident also wasn't available by press time.

A heavy rain kept emergency officials from using a helicopter to transport the men to the hospital, Dice said.

The Rev. Bob Flaherty, pastor of the nearly 50-member church, said the men were working for Alpha Construction, no address available, and putting a new roof on the church.

"I don't know," he said about their condition last night. "All I know is that a couple guys got hurt."

Flaherty said he hoped to learn more through a telephone call.

"We're just praying and hoping," Flaherty said.

Source: Bob Stiles, TRIBUNE-REVIEW