Boy falls from Pylon in ball of flame

[JohnPitt]

Anybody have any info on this eletrocution event from the 20's or thereabouts? He may well have had the surname Davies there are two child 'accidents' mentioned in our family from the days of scant health & safety, one is well confirmed of my uncle catching his leg in dramway cable but this one - well.

[mochyn]

What's your source of information on that one? Is it just a story within the family or have you found some documentary evidence. I'd be fascinated to know if you found the answer. My parents were born in Ferndale in 1919 but neither of them ever mentioned that.

[JohnPitt]

Mentioned more than once by my Mother (and not a tall tale to discourage dangerous climbing!) Absolutely no evidence whatsoever. My understanding was it was our maternal family (or greater family) and was one of the pylons above Blaenllechau.

[mochyn]

Fascinating, though not for the boy obviously. I guess you might consider looking through the newspapers for that time at the library in Pontypridd if you're ever passing. They have volumes full of the Rhondda Leader there, possibly some others too. Let me know if you find anything out. I may travel to Ponty again one day to trawl through the papers so I'll let you know if I do.

[JohnPitt]

Yes the Rhondda leader would be the right one - If only I had a clue about the date - but I haven't. 500 or more papers to trawl through is rather daunting, still I would have thought it to be front page material.

[daveporthcawl]

I actually remember the crowd which gathered on Blaen hillside after the boy fell from the pylon...... he touched the high voltage cable.
I was in Pine Street or Elm Street at the time. My best guess is that it happened around 1940/2 when I was about nine years old.
The boy died shortly afterwards in hospital. A very sad but true event.

[JohnPitt]

Dave Porthcawl you are the very first to veryfy this event outside the family! - thank you. If your wartime date is correct, that means a lot less "Leaders" to check out! If you can remember any other detail that will refine the date (Summer, winter, green ferns or brown ferns etc) please put them on this forum - thanks, and thanks for the offer to look in the RL office Mochyn.

[JohnPitt]

Oh and the accident to my Uncle was due to jumping on to the coal dram in Tylerstown. He was good at doing this while the drams were in motion, but one day he was out of luck, his foot slipped as he got on, and went into the iron spokes - wrenched his foot right off - he was only 8.

This is the next IT HAPPENED story on my face book link.

See my interesting links thread.

[kimbo53]

My Dad lived at 13 Club Row, he remembers the boy falling from the pylon as he was at school with him (he is trying to remember his name). He thinks it was in the late 1930's.

[JohnPitt]

From the W.G.Thomas thread

Hello,I am new/old boy on the block, recently found the forum.

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Re - Boy falls from pylon in ball of flame- his surname was Murray and he lived at 19, Elm, street.
Regards.

Thanks for that info Evandale - can you firm up a date?? just wondered