Lineman in hospital after massive jolt

A 17-year-old lineman is recovering in hospital after being zapped by 110,000 volts of electricity while working in Wellsford yesterday.

The electricity is believed to have entered his body through his right arm while he was removing rust from a high-voltage line in Wellsford. It exited through his left hand, causing first- and second-degree burns.

A Transfield Services spokesman said the lineman was able to climb down the 20m tower after the shock.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew him to Middlemore Hospital's burns unit.