This really hits hard. Two Eagle Scouts dead, and the 11 year old scout they were teaching to sail in critical condition.
https://www.news-journal.com/news/2017/aug/06/community-mourns-teen-boy-scouts-at-vigil/
Lake of The Pines well developed Corps of Engineers reservoir lake in East Texas.
https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?ID=M205850
https://www.recreation.gov/recreationalAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&recAreaId=497&agencyCode=130
I don't know that lake, and the details that have been published are limited, so I'll wait to hear more information from locals.
It does seems unlikely that such a busy lake would have power lines running across it.
Press release from Texas Parks and Wildlife
https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20170806a
____________
Damon Linkous
I saw that
i tried to google earth it so i could look for power lines
they had a map but not google earth for real views
very sad - lesson for us all
MN3
I was thinking it was unlikely there were power transmission lines over the water but there are.
At the North end of the lake there is a bridge for TX highway 155 and just South of the bridge there are power lines.
Reports did mention that the Scouts were having a weekend at a private residence located on the North end of the lake.
____________
Damon Linkous
All power lines are suppose to be marked with orange balls if they are over water or in recreational areas .
I was told they did not hit the power lines as they were higher than the mast, but the electricity arced to the mast. Bad grounding perhaps.
Very sad circumstance.
chump23 wrote: Bad grounding perhaps.
Can't ground a power line ...
Oh my, this is terrible. Never set up or sail near power lines. Prayers for the families of these boys.
Those lines don't appear to even be marked!!!!
Edited by martyr on Aug 07, 2017 - 09:19 PM.
There are power lines paralleling three highway bridges on that lake that I saw on Google Maps.
It's possible to have lines low enough that the mast on a Hobiecat ( the article didn't quote a length) could bridge the
safe distance between a hot leg and ground (the lake).
https://www.fpl.com/safety/working-near-power-lines.html
http://sce.tumblr.com/post/103487625196/what-are-those-balls-that-hang-on-power-lines
I was involved in Scouting with my sons. This tragedy saddens me greatly.
My deepest condolences to the family's and friends.
When about the 7th kid got electrocuted in the '70's, Hobie Cat settled a lawsuit by pledging all Hobies would have plastic tops & rope halyards. I had a customer for a Stiletto in 1980, great guy, Porshe mechanic, and I invited him to come to Nationals in Sarasota,Fl. He was super crew & we did well. Last day there, several of the gang went out on a test sail on the new Steletto 30. Coming in the canal they went to the end where a bridge forced them to turn around. High wires were 6-8' away from bridge. First shock knocked Bobby off the boat. Crew member grabbed his hand to pull him aboard when second shock got him. I had to call his girl friend with the bad news. I called electric Cos. half dozen times in 70's & found them reluctant to cooperate except for Ontario Hydro up in Georgian Bay. The parents of these three boys should go after the errant co. in Texas. Pete
prindle pete