A motorist is in serious condition after suffering high voltage burns and crash wounds.
The male victim was driving on Upper Fraser Road northeast of the city at about 1 a.m. Saturday when he lost control and struck a utility pole. A witness called 911 to report the incident, and tell first responders that live power lines came down around the vehicle.
When the man left his vehicle, he came into contact with the lines.
BC Ambulance Service paramedics took the lone victim to University Hospital where he was initially stabilized and transferred to Vancouver.
"The 24-year-old Prince George area resident suffered serious injuries including severe burns," RCMP spokesman Craig Douglass said. "BC Hydro attended the scene. The BC Hydro employee advised police that 69,000 volts of electricity flowed though the lines."
That portion of Upper Fraser Road was closed until the power to the lines was shut off and it was safe for the public.
Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the initial crash.
"The Prince George RCMP would like to remind the public of the dangers that downed power lines pose," Douglass said. "If you are in a collision with a power pole, remain in the vehicle until help arrives."
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