BARTON COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident Tuesday in Great Bend.
Just after 8a.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to the Great Bend Municipal Airport after 911 Dispatch received calls about an accidental electrocution in that area, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
A roofing company was working on the main hangar near the terminal building. Upon arrival, crews discovered two victims. Investigation indicates the two men were in a bucket on an aerial boom when they came into contact with high-voltage power lines. One of the individuals managed to get onto the roof and was able to reach the ground. The second victim was still in the bucket on the boom and was unresponsive.
By 8:48 a.m., power was shut off and rescue personnel were able to reach the second victim. Both victims were transported to The University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus.
The first victim, identified as 24-year-old Allistar Jose Sanchez of Wichita, received serious burns in the incident. He was later airlifted to Wichita area hospital. The second victim, identified 16-year-old Ivan Joel Mollins of Wichita, was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Because the accident occurred on city property and involved a city building, the Great Bend Police Department requested that the Sheriff’s Office handle the investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Great Bend Police Department, Great Bend Fire Department and EMS and Midwest Energy.