Editor,

We are writing to follow-up on the story published recently about a FedEx truck that hit a power pole on Ewing Road. The story represented that a live wire was in contact with the vehicle and that the driver of the truck exited through a window.

We want to convey in the strongest terms that it is rarely safe to exit a vehicle under these circumstances. Occupants must assume that the wire is live and that it is transferring electric current through the frame of the vehicle.

If the driver or passenger attempts to exit and is in contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time then the electric current will flow through their body. The injuries would most likely be fatal.

For more information, please contact South Whidbey Fire/EMS at 360-321-1533.

You also might want to follow these links to safety information on the PSE website: http://pse.com/safety/ElectricSafety/Pages/Downed-Power-Lines.aspx, and http://pse.com/accountsandservices/YourAccount/Documents/1611_SafetyBrochure.pdf

Respectfully,

Rusty Palmer,

South Whidbey Fire/EMS chief

Walt Blackford,

Puget Sound Energy