Workers Injured in St. Elmo (UPDATE)

A little more information regarding three people working with electric lines who were injured Thursday afternoon in St. Elmo.

St. Elmo Fire Chief Doug Engeljohn said the incident occurred about 4pm on 3rd Street at Girard Street. Engeljohn, who is an electrician, said workers were pulling electrical lines and made contact with a hot wire. He said crews are changing out the line between St. Elmo and Altamont.

Marcelline Love of AmerenIllinois said Friday afternoon that the three people were injured due to an electrical contact.  Love said the three were not Ameren employees, but were contracted to work for PAR Electrical Contractors in Goodfield, Illinois. Two of those injured were taken to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham, while the third individual was airlifted to a regional hospital for treatment.

Engeljohn said three-quarters of the residents of St. Elmo were without electricity after the incident. He said service was restored just after 6pm.