DEER PARK -- A 51-year-old West Plains resident was killed Saturday morning when the grain auger he was moving came into contact with a power line.

KREM.com

Gregg L. Burchett, 51, and another man were moving a metal grain auger by hand in the 8000 block of West Wild Rose Road Saturday in Deer Parl when the machine touched a live power line.

Burchett's helper was holding a rubber tire on the auger and received only a minor shock.

A helper told deputies he and Burchett were spinning the auger around when it started to roll.

The metal tube, estimated to be about 40 feet long, came into contact with a 7,200-volt power line.

Burchett was holding the base of the tube against his waist and was electrocuted. 

The helper said he was holding onto a tire and felt the zap of electricity, but was able to let go.

He used a wooden stick to push Burchett away from the machine to break the electrical current.

Firefighters responded to the worker’s call for help, but were unable to revive Burchett.  He was pronounced dead at about 11:50 a.m.

A small brush fire started by the electrical contact was quickly extinguished.

The incident occurred on farm land Burchett rentedthe victim rents in the 8000 block of West Wild Rose Road.

The victim’s next of kin have been notified of his death.