Notes |
- Farm youth electrocuted
APPLETON - A 15-year-old farm worker was electrocuted here Saturday in view of his father when he tried to slide down a conveyor system from the barn of John Sweeney, 7367 Somerset Road, at lunchtime.
New York State police, who investigated the fatality, said the boy was identified as Paul Lewis Rhodes, of 7394 W. Somerset Road, who along with his father, Daniel Rhodes, worked for Mr. Swenney.
Apparently two conveyors were being used to load hay into the barn and the lower conveyor developed an electrical short-circuit.
Witnesses said the boy slid down the upper conveyor to the lower one but as his feet touched the lower conveyor, his hands still grasped the upper conveyer; setting up an electrical ground.
Niagara County Coroner Daniel Andrews, of Youngstown, was called to the scene and pronounced the youth dead. An autopsy was ordered and the body was taken to Newfane Intercommunity Hospital.
Investigator William Tumulty of the New York State Police investigated the fatality. He said the conveyor system was ordered out of service by the coroner until it is inspected and repaired.
The dead youth is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Rhodes; a sister, Evelyn Leona Rhodes, and two step-brothers, Michael and Scott Solomon, all at home, Also surviving are his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rhodes of Appleton, Mrs. Florence Rheim, of Reading, Pa., and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Walck, of Sandborn (sic).
Paul was a member of the West Somerset Baptist Church softball team and the church choir. He was a 10th grade student at Barker Central High School and a member of the Junior Varsity football team, He was also a member of the Future Farmers of America.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Arthur J. Hood Funeral Home, Barker. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. Private funeral services will be held Tuesday at the family's convenience. Memorial (sic) may be made to the West Somerset Baptist Church softball team or music funds. Burial will be in Hartland Central Cemetery, with the Rev. Donald Wilson of West Somerset Baptist Church officiating. The Rev. Earl Bell of Faith United Methodist Church, Barker, will conduct the prayers.
|