THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, June 11, 1996                TAG: 9606110310
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   35 lines

MAN, 33, BADLY BURNED WORKING AT ROCK CHURCH

A construction worker was badly burned early Monday at Rock Church when a section of scaffolding touched a high-voltage line.

The worker's burns covered more than 90 percent of his body, police said. Authorities identified the man as 33-year-old Ronald L. Pena of the 4900 block of Olive Grove Circle.

Pena was working for Tidewater Plastering at the Rock Church construction site in the 600 block of Kempsville Road.

Police spokesman Mike Carey said Pena was standing on a trailer being used to move a section scaffolding. Pena was helping guide a van driver who was towing the trailer and scaffolding when workers apparently underestimated the height of the overhead wires.

At about 7:30 a.m., the scaffolding touched a line carrying 7,600 volts. The electricity surged down the scaffolding and onto the trailer where Pena was standing. The shock burned a fist-sized hole in Pena's ball cap and burned through the sole of at least one of his boots, witnesses said.

The shock also knocked Pena off the trailer. The van driver began reversing, apparently to get the scaffolding off the wires, and then accidently backed over Pena.

Firefighters and rescue workers were called to free Pena, who was trapped under the trailer. Power crews shut off the electricity in the area while Pena was rescued.

Pena was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery and amputated Pena's right arm, authorities said.

Pena was in critical condition late Monday, according to a hospital spokesman.

KEYWORDS: INJURIES ACCIDENT GENERAL by CNB