Kinypanial: Farmer shocked by powerlines while working near Bendigo

A farmer was flown to hospital after he was electrocuted by overhead powerlines when he stepped out of his sprayer near Bendigo.

A man was flown to hospital after he suffered burns to his foot when he was electrocuted by overhead powerlines near Bendigo.

A 67-year-old experienced farmer was flown to hospital after he was electrocuted by overhead high voltage powerlines near Bendigo on Monday.

Energy Safety Victoria is pleading with Victorians to look for powerlines following the incident at Kinypanial at 5pm.

The man is in a non-critical condition but suffered burns to his foot.

He was shocked after he jumped out of an agricultural sprayer cab and onto the ground.

ESV commissioner and chair Marnie Williams urged farmers to be aware of their surroundings.

A man has been flown to hospital following an incident at Kinypanial.

“We are thinking about the farmer and his family and hope he’s able to make a full recovery,” she said.

“Unfortunately, this incident could have been avoided if he’d been more aware of his surroundings before starting work.

“It’s so easy to forget the simple act of looking up before you start work, could save your life or the life of a co-worker.”

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman confirmed the man was flown to Alfred in a stable condition.

Last month ESV launched its 2022 Look Up and Live campaign following 58 powerline-related incidents in January and February, including the death of a man at Malvern East.

It comes after there were 214 reported in 2021, 34 of which involved high voltage lines and four causing serious injury.

Of that 214, 141 involved overhead powerlines and 73 underground.

ESV said people should recognise ‘no go zones’, rules and distances for safety clearances near overhead powerlines.

An ESV-registered spotter should also be on site when working near overhead powerlines, and ‘look up and live’ stickers displayed on machinery.

If machinery does hit powerlines, operators should stay inside the vehicle and call for help, and bystanders and spotters should stay at least 8m away.