16-Year-Old Boy Dies in Electrical Accident at Great Bend Airport
Great Bend, KS – A routine workday took a devastating turn at the Great Bend Airport on Tuesday morning when an electrical accident resulted in the tragic death of a 16-year-old boy and left a 24-year-old man with severe burns. The incident, which occurred while the two were performing roofing work, has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised concerns about safety protocols in similar work environments.
The Barton County Sheriff’s Office reported that the two individuals were employed by a roofing company contracted to work on a hangar near the airport’s terminal building. The duo was working from a bucket on an aerial boom, a common piece of equipment used for high-elevation tasks, when they accidentally made contact with high-voltage power lines. The 24-year-old man, whose identity has not been released, managed to escape the immediate danger by climbing onto the roof and subsequently reaching the ground. Unfortunately, the 16-year-old, later identified as Ivan Joel Mollins of Wichita, was found unresponsive in the bucket after the accident.
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Rescue teams faced significant challenges in reaching the young victim due to the live power lines. It took approximately 30 minutes to shut off the electricity and secure the area, allowing emergency responders to access the scene safely. Despite their swift efforts, Mollins was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the hospital. The 24-year-old man was also taken to the hospital, where he is currently being treated for severe burns. His condition remains critical but stable as of the latest reports.
The Barton County Sheriff’s Office is spearheading the investigation, as the incident occurred on city property. Authorities are working to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the accident, including whether proper safety measures were in place and followed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also expected to be involved, given the nature of the accident and its occurrence in a workplace setting.
The Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that they are interviewing witnesses, including other workers who were present at the time of the accident, as well as reviewing any available surveillance footage from the area. The goal is to piece together a comprehensive understanding of how the two men came into contact with the power lines, which are known to carry lethal voltage levels.
The tragic loss of such a young life has deeply affected the community, particularly in Wichita, where Mollins was a resident. Local officials have expressed their condolences to the family and have emphasized the importance of workplace safety, especially in jobs that involve potentially dangerous equipment or environments.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the inherent risks associated with working near high-voltage power lines. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), contact with overhead power lines is one of the leading causes of electrical fatalities in the workplace. The ESFI recommends strict adherence to safety protocols, including maintaining a safe distance from power lines, using appropriate personal protective equipment, and ensuring that all workers are properly trained and aware of the risks.
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As the investigation continues, there will likely be increased scrutiny on the safety practices of companies working in similar high-risk environments. The findings of the investigation may lead to calls for more stringent regulations or enhanced training requirements to prevent future tragedies.
In the meantime, the family of Ivan Joel Mollins is left to mourn the untimely death of their son, a young man with a bright future ahead of him. The community’s thoughts and prayers are with them and with the 24-year-old man as he battles to recover from his injuries.
This accident underscores the critical importance of safety in the workplace, particularly in fields where the margins for error can be tragically slim. As authorities work to uncover the details of this heartbreaking event, there is hope that lessons learned will help prevent similar incidents in the future.