When a person gets electrocuted by a power line, the electrical current enters the body at the point of contact with the power source, usually a hand or the head, and it travels through the body until it exits at the nearest point of ground, generally taking the most direct route. This can occur either by direct contact with the power line or indirectly, by touching something the power line contacts. The extreme electrical voltage from power lines, typically between 4,800 volts and 13,200 volts, can cause severe burns at the point of entry and exit, as well as internal damage. If the current pathway travels through the heart, mechanisms of death from electric injury include hyperthermia, involuntary muscle contractions, burns, and ultimately cardiac arrest.
The severity of the damage depends on the type of current, the type of tissue that it passes through, and how long the contact with the current is sustained. The effects of an electric shock on the human body can cause muscle spasms and depend on the intensity of the current and the type of muscle it travels through.
In summary, death from electrocution by a power line can occur due to the extreme electrical voltage causing severe burns, internal damage, and potentially cardiac arrest if the current pathway travels through the heart. It is important to exercise caution around power lines to avoid the risk of electrocution.
