A trespasser climbed onto a railroad electricity tower Tuesday allegedly looking to steal copper. He grabbed a power line, was jolted and burned.
"He did get (shocked) with 6900 Volts," Fire Department Capt. John Cleary said.
He wound up needing to be rescued, which shut down train service during rush hour.
The unidentified man was stuck about 40 feet up on an angled power tower at Glenwood Ave and West Tusculum Street in North Philadelphia.
"When you get stuck at a high angle like that there's no easy way to get down," said Cleary.
People in the neighborhood said they could hear the unidentified man screaming for help.
Officials had to cut electricity before they could get the man down from over the tracks, they said.
Amtrak Northeast Corridor service and SEPTA Trenton and Chestnut Hill West lines were suspended for about two hours during the rescue leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
The man was finally helped off the tower and onto a firetruck ladder a little bit after 8 p.m.
The high wire drama ended when full train service was restored by 9 p.m. but some residual effects were expected, according to Amtrak.
The man was taken to a local hospital where he was listed in critical but stable condition. Investigators expect to charge him when he's released.
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