Edward S. Hudson, 72, retired farmer, attempted to rescue Henry C. Paden, 26, clerk, and Orman L. Pettit, 32, laborer, from electric shock, Harrison, Arkansas, February 20, 1931. Hudson, who wore gloves that had leather palms and heavy-soled rubber overshoes but did not know they afforded protection, approached and stepped over the aerial wire where it lay on the ground. He held a board three feet long and tried several times to push the wire from Paden’s hand. Each time he pushed, the wire sprang back to its original position. Another man arrived, and by using a mop, he pulled the wire from Paden. Hudson then tried to pry Pettit from the wire with the board and moved him six inches several times, but each time Pettit rolled back on the wire. The wire crackled and sparked at points of contact with the ground. Finally Hudson with his hand grasped Pettit’s arm where it was covered by his shirt sleeve and turned him over free of the wire. Hudson was not shocked by the current, but he sustained a severe nervous shock. (See case of ORMAN LEE PETTIT.)
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