6-year-old Nathan Winters sits in his hospital bed, trying to smile through the pain. He has been in the hospital since last Tuesday when he and his Nana, Charlotte Winters, were severely shocked due to a down power line in the Lake Conroe RV Campgrounds near Willis.
KPRC2 obtained cell phone video showing the power line snapping and catching fire during the storm last week. Charlotte and Nathan were shocked hours later. Morgan Winters is Nathan’s mother and Charlotte’s daughter. She told KPRC 2 reporter Corley Peel that Nathan and Charlotte were trying to leave when the power went out. She said they never physically touched the down power line, but they were shocked after walking out on the wet ground. The electricity, somehow transferred to their bodies.
“She said that they were far away, and it was within a range that nobody would expect to ever get electrocuted,” said Morgan Winters.
Corley spoke with Nathan on Facetime. He said his memory of the shock is a blur.
“Next thing I know, I was in an ambulance and then I was in the hospital,” said Nathan.
Winters said the shock impacted her son and mother differently.
“They believe that the electricity actually entered his body. And it traveled through both of his shins, of his left forearm and his left face, the left side of his face. And my mom’s burns are more scattered all over her body, and the boiling hot water was thrown on her,” said Winters.
Both Nathan and Charlotte have undergone surgeries and have a long road to recovery.
“My son has about 18% of his body covered and second-degree burns, including his face. Half of his face. My mom, about 55% of her body is covered in second- and third-degree burns, but majority of her burns are third degree,” said Winters.
Nathan said he knows exactly what he wants to do once he finally can get leave the hospital.
“Me and my mom and my Nana and my family are going to Disneyland,” said Winters.
The Montgomery County Fire Marshal said a 59-year-old man was also injured after coming in contact with the down power line last week.
The Fire Marshal provided several tips for how to stay safe from down power lines after a storm.
Downed Power Line Safety Tips
- If you see a downed power line, move away from it and anything touching it. The ground around power lines – up to 35 feet away – may be energized.
- You cannot tell whether or not a power line is energized just by looking at it. You should assume that all downed power lines are live.
- The proper way to move away from the power line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This will minimize the potential for a strong electric shock.
- If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Call 911 for help.
- Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything else in contact with it by using an object such as a broom or stick. Even non-conductive materials like wood or cloth, can conduct electricity if even slightly wet.
- Be careful not to touch or step in water near where a downed power line is located.
- Do not drive over downed power lines.
- If your car comes in contact with a downed power line while you are inside, stay in the car. Honk your horn to summon help, but direct others to stay away from your car.
- If you must leave your car because it is on fire, jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and avoid contact with both the car and the ground at the same time. Shuffle away from the car.