Man’s arms ‘exploded’ after 11,000-volt shock
West Midlands Ambulance Service
A man who suffered “horrific” burns to his body after touching electrical cables carrying 11,000 volts has been reunited with the ambulance staff who helped to save his life.
On 24 November 2020, Darren Harris was electrocuted in an abandoned building in Wolverhampton, while attempting to steal scrap metal.
He received burns to his face, arms, chest and abdomen, and spent several months receiving specialist treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Four years on, he visited Stoke Ambulance Hub to meet the ambulance crew and trauma doctor who responded to the 999 call that day.
Warning: some readers may find images of trauma contained within this article upsetting
Recounting what happened, Mr Harris said: “During lockdown I was struggling for funds and I went to get illegal scrap metal from buildings that were getting demolished.
“Unfortunately, I put my left arm into an 11KV switchboard, which completely melted my forearms down to the bone.
“I ran in front of the ambulance on its way to me to flag it down and both faces of the paramedics were as white as a ghost.”
Medics said it was rare for people to survive such a surge of electricity through the body.
Mr Harris said he had wanted to thank the ambulance crew ever since the incident, but the timing had not been right.
“Sharing my story helps me overcome everything and put it to rest in my head,” he said.
“It’s been very traumatic and very difficult, but I’m on the mend and trying to do good things and good deeds.
“I’m very grateful to be here – and it’s all thanks to the paramedics and the surgeons.”
Daren Harris
Mr Harris admitted he should not have been on the site, but had “paid a price for that”.
“I’m not a scumbag, I’m not an idiot. I’ve always been a worker,” he said.
He said police had been involved, but had decided it was not in the public interest to pursue it.
West Midlands Police has been contacted by the BBC.
Paramedic Gary Williams said: “[Crewmate] Matt and I both looked at each other and said ‘where do we start?’
“Darren’s arms had completely exploded.”
The crew worked to administer pain relief while trying to stabilise Mr Harris’s injuries, which, given the level of blood loss, was a challenging situation.
Darren Harris
Dr Richard Fawcett, who was part of the team who responded, said: “To see Darren a few years later doing so fantastically well is unbelievable.”
Reflecting on his ordeal, Mr Harris said: “Miraculously somehow, I’m still here today, shining and trying to rebuild my life the best I can – all thanks to the two paramedics and the rest of the NHS team that saved me that night.
“It’s a very special moment for me meeting them again and it means a hell of a lot.
“Without these guys I genuinely wouldn’t be here today. They will always have a special place in my heart.”
