UPDATE: One firefighter critical, 3 others injured during ALS Ice Bucket Challenge – Arc from power lines hit bucket
Image just before firefighters shocked.
More fire news from FireCritic.com
UPDATE 5:00 p.m. EDT
At the 5:00 p.m. briefing officials confirmed four firefighters were involved in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge at the Campbellsville University around 11:00 this morning. Two firefighters were on the ground and two were in the bucket of the tower ladder.
At the conclusion of the event, as the firefighters were preparing the rig for their return to the station, an arc occurred between the power lines and the firefighters in the bucket. The two firefighters on the ground were slightly hurt from an electrical shock but were able to lower the bucket and get to the more seriously injured firefighters.
In critical condition at the University of Louisville Medical Center Burn Unit is Captain Tony Grider, 41, a 16-year veteran of the department,. Firefighter Simon Quinn, 22, a part time firefighter, is in fair condition.
Captain Steve Marrs, 37, an 11 year veteran, and Firefighter Alex Johnson, 28, a three year veteran, were treated and released.
PREVIOUSLY
One firefighter in critical condition, one in serious condition, one or two others with lesser injuries after a tower ladder came in contact with power lines during a charity event at Campbellsville University in Kentucky around 11:40 this morning.
Campbellsville University now confirms via Twitter that firefighters from the Campbellsville/Taylor County Fire Department were helping its band with its version of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge today (Thursday) when the tower ladder hit power lines.
University is holding prayer service at 7:00 p.m.
Click here if video above fails to play
WDRB News spoke with Larry Smith, the operations manager for WVLC, who said told us the Campbellsville/Taylor County Fire Department was on campus at Campbellsville University when the fire truck owned by the Campbellsville Fire Department, came in contact with the power lines.
Statement from Campbellsville University
Campbellsville/Taylor County Fire Department Facebook page
The incident knocked out the power for all of the city of Campbellsville, according to Smith, as well as the city of Greensburg. The power lines in question belonged to Kentucky Utilities.
According to reports from Reed Yadon, two firefighters were airlifted to University of Louisville Hospital and another firefighter was treated at Taylor Regional Hospital.
According to Eric Johnson, with Supporting Heros, one firefighter at UofL Hospital is in serious condition and the other is in critical.
A witness at the scene, resident director Tyler Arterburn, said the crew was participating in an “ice bucket challenge,” and firefighters were spraying water band directors and members.
Several Campbellsville-Taylor County firefighters have been reported injured after an training incident near the campus of Campbellsville University.
According to radio stations WCKQ-WGRK, four firefighters have been injured and two of those injuries are said to be critical. Reports are at least one of the injured firefighters has been flown to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment.
Power was reported out across a wide area, but is starting to be restored slowly.
