Man jumps 30 feet after clothes catch fire

SEMINOLE -- Still clutching a chainsaw and with his clothes on fire, a desperate man jumped 30-feet to the ground after the boom lift  he was working from caught fire Sunday evening.

A fallen limb from the tree he was trimming had clipped a live power line below him, starting the blaze.

William Cunningham Jr., 39, of Largo, was transported to Tampa General Hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries, according to a report from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Cunningham was helping trim a large tree on the property of his friend, Dale Kemmitzer, at 7048 111th Avenue N in Seminole. Just before 7 p.m. while working from the bucket of a rental boom lift, Cunningham cut off a large section of the tree trunk with a chainsaw.

It fell on a live power line below him, which authorities believe carried 7,000 volts of electricity. The line burned in half, igniting the boom lift and subsequently Cunningham's clothes, the report reads.

Desperately trying to escape from the flames, Cunningham jumped to the ground below. Witnesses came to his aid, calling 911, and paramedics were able to stabilize him at the scene before he was transported by helicopter, according to the report.

Neighbor James Stewart said, "the power went out and then we heard a big boom and the we heard screaming." He told Bay News 9 he ran to help the injured man, and tried to cover his wounds.

Progress Energy repaired the damaged power line. Pinellas County deputies continue to investigate.

ELENA LESLEY, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[Dude]

Spellcheck.

[Me]

1. trip a tree

2. love power lines

wonder if the times is hiring??

[Cindy]

I know it is hard to remember certain things in an emergency situation, but let us all remember: STOP, DROP AND ROLL, if you should ever catch on fire.

I pray that this gentleman heals quickly, in Jesus name.

[Urbex]

Cindy, I'd really like to know how you expect the man to "STOP, DROP AND ROLL" while he's in a bucket 30 feet off the ground while it's ON FIRE?!?!?!?!?!?

Oh wait, never mind, I think that's exactly what he did, lol :D

[Dave]

I'd be ticked if this dope made me lose power. At least it's not football season.

[Parker]

Thats why the power company wants to trim our trees instead of letting a dope like this do it.

[bobcatwelder]

Cindy he did drop and roll but he dropped 30 feet lmao and sounds like inexperinced people were to blame here just because you can rent a piece of equipment doesnt mean you are quilified he was to close to power lines im sure they have saftey signs posted on the equipment stay away from power lines by 20 feet so he is at fault

[bobcatwelder]

qaulified sorry for typothis is for my mispelling of first post about this story

[AH]

What an idiot. Hope the power company charges the moron for that minor accident.

[Shirl from PA]

My thoughts and prayers are with William Cunningham, Jr. and his family, including his Mother, Gail.

YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN PENNSYLVANIA.