Boy 'serious' after 11,000 volt shock

The boy was playing near power lines

A teenage boy is in a serious condition in hospital after he received an 11,000-volt shock from electricity power lines.

The 15-year-old, who has not been named, suffered serious burns after the incident in Stonedyke Road, Carluke, Lanarkshire, on Thursday.

It is understood that he could lose one of his arms below the elbow and has suffered exit wounds on both feet.

A police spokesman said it was unclear whether the boy had grabbed a piece of wire or thrown something at the power lines.

This unfortunate accident stresses the dangers of playing near electrical apparatus

Scottish Power spokesman

The boy was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary after the incident, where staff have described his condition as "serious, but stable".

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said: "We are still interviewing witnesses and inquiries are continuing."

He said it was still unclear whether the boy was holding a piece of wire at the time or whether he had thrown something at the power lines and then grabbed hold of it.

A spokesman for Scottish Power said: "Scottish Power were called out last night to remove a piece of metal fence wiring that was on the line, which was around 20ft from the ground."

Family sympathy

He said around 20 homes were without power for one and a half hours while engineers cleared the line.

Scottish Power also issued a warning to youngsters of the dangers of electrical lines.

The spokesman said: "This unfortunate accident stresses the dangers of playing near electrical apparatus.

"Our thoughts are with the family and for the boy's recovery."