NB Power contacts police after teens post power line climbing video

NB Power is highly alarmed after a video showing two New Brunswick teenagers scaling a high-powered transmission tower in Saint John appeared online.

The tower, located near Dominion Park Beach, is about 60 metres tall and has the potential to carry 69,000 to 345,000 volts.

A video posted to social media sites such asFacebook, shows Justin Kennedy and Noah Kingston approach the tower on foot before climbing it.

During the climb, neither of the teenagers can be seen wearing any safety harnesses.

While at the top, Kennedy dangles off the side of the tower with one hand.

While the lack of safety equipment is worrisome to some viewers, to NB Power it's just one concern.

"Electricity is kind of insidious in that high potential lines," said Duff Boyd.

Extremely dangerous

The director of health and safety at NB Power said his heart sank when he first saw the video because of the extremely dangerous activity he was observing.

According to Boyd, the potential for electrocution is much higher around high-powered lines because electricity can jump from lines to a person.

"You can't see it, hear it, smell it, taste it, but it can find you," he said.

Boyd pointed to a similar stunt in Powell River, B.C., in June, where two teenagers received serious burns while climbing a transmission tower.

That isn't the only time this summer someone was harmed after getting too close to power lines.

Death in Quebec

This week in Riviere-du-Loup, Que.,a 21-year-old man was killed while climbing a hydro pole.

Boyd said the utility has been in contact with the Saint John Police to see if there is any legal action to be taken.

In the meantime, he stressed how important it is for people to avoid mimicking the stunt.

"This has to be communicated in such a way that the public understands how dangerous an activity it is," he said. "Don't do it is the short answer."