GPL technician suffers burns after shock

A  Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) emergency crew technician was on Thursday night shocked and suffered severe burns to his body while working on a utility pole at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara

Eustace Abrams, 39, of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara was working with a crew fixing a faulty wire when the incident occurred. He was burnt severely on both of his legs and his back and a source told this newspaper that the man has what appear to be huge gashes on his back and second degree burns on both legs.

Stabroek News was told by Abram’s wife and sister-in law that they were contacted and told that he was shocked and was going to be taken to the St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital. Abrams was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation because his family and GPL personnel felt it was best equipped to treat his injuries.

“…He did not say much but that he was on the pole and got shocked,” said his sister-in-law, who spoke on behalf of Abrams’ wife, who appeared to be traumatised. She said that the specific details of the incident were unknown to the family and given the state Abrams was in, they did not further question him. They said he was conscious and seemed to be doing well.

His only child 12 year Ackeni Abrams ,who indicated that he had only taken the grade six exams today said he was “very very happy” to know his father is alive and would be okay given his dangerous job.

While company officials were at the hospital, they did not comment on the incident. Officials said they would comment after an investigation.