One Dead, Another Injured in Electrocution Incident at Great Bend Municipal Airport

On August 13 at about 8:15 AM, emergency personnel were dispatched to the Great Bend Municipal Airport. 911 had received calls about an accidental electrocution in that area.

According to a press release from Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir, a roofing company was working on the main hangar near the terminal building. Upon arrival, crews discovered two victims. Investigation indicates the two men were in a bucket on an aerial boom when they came into contact with high-voltage power lines. One of the individuals managed to get onto the roof and was able to reach the ground. The second victim was still in the bucket on the boom and was nonresponsive. By 8:48 AM, power was shut off and rescue personnel were able to reach the second victim. Both victims were transported to Great Bend Regional Hospital.

The first victim identified as 24-year-old Allistar Jose Sanchez of Wichita received serious burns in the incident. He was later transported by aircraft to a Wichita area hospital. The second victim identified as 16-year-old Ivan Joel Mollins also of Wichita was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Because the accident occurred on city property and involved a city building, the Great Bend Police Department requested that the Barton County Sheriff's Office handle the investigation.

The Barton County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Great Bend Police Department, Great Bend Fire Department and EMS and Midwest Energy.

(Information and photo courtesy Barton County Sheriff's Office.)