Quick Decisions on the Farm Can Be Lifesaving

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Published on March 8 2023 9:56 am
Last Updated on March 8 2023 10:50 am

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek (photos by Stacy Burgener)

Jasper County teen Lain Burgener continues to share the safety lesson that saved his life — a lesson he learned in fourth grade at a school safety fair.

“I’ve had quite a few people question me about the situation. A lot of people still don’t know. I told them, ‘In an accident, if (power) lines are down, don’t get out if you can,’” the 16-year-old told FarmWeek.

It’s advice the Newton teen lived on Nov. 4, 2022, along with his parents, Matt and Stacy Burgener.

While working in a field, Lain clipped a utility pole. The broken pole and live power lines fell across the tractor and equipment. Sparks from the wires started a fire in the ditch that spread to the field.

Lain radioed his father for help. Stacy also heard her son: “I knew that was not his normal voice. I could tell he was worked up, and it was serious.”

Fortunately, Lain, who was then 15, remembered what he learned about downed power lines in grade school. “For me, it was common sense. Something I learned in fourth grade,” he said of his decision to stay in the tractor cab. He described the tabletop lesson taught by Norris Electric Cooperative with a small replica of a town. “They explained the situation and what to do,” Lain added.

Meanwhile, Stacy called 911. Then she and Matt, who serves as a Jasper County Farm Bureau director, raced to their son. First responders arrived and put out the fire. Then, Norris Electric linemen arrived and shut off the power.

Both Lain and his parents did the right thing – as hard as it was.

The Energy Education Council warns drivers to not leave the cab if machinery or a vehicle comes in contact with a power line. Operators should stay inside and call 911 to send the appropriate utility to de-energize the power.

But in cases when smoke or a fire makes it too dangerous to stay in the cab, drivers should make a clean jump with both feet landing at the same time and hop away with feet together as far as possible, the Energy Council adds.

Anyone who comes upon an accident near a downed power line must stay at least 50 feet away and tell the people involved to stay inside the vehicle as long as there is no imminent danger, the Energy Council cautions. Call 911, but don’t approach the scene.

Matt recognized many factors combined for a good outcome that autumn day. “Lain was fast thinking; the first responders arrived and knocked down the fire under the tractor; and Norris Electric got the power off,” he said.

The Burgeners realize other families could find themselves in a similar situation and want to share their story and emphasize the importance of knowing what to do.

After hearing of Lain’s accident, Stacy said, “People will say, ‘I didn’t know you couldn’t get out.’"

Matt continued: “I think every farmer has grazed a pole or had a close call (with electricity). People will say, ‘Oh, that could have been bad.’ Something like this (accident), you want for the farming community to be aware.”