FAIRFAX, Va. (CBSDC) — A Dominion Virginia power worker suffered burns to over 50 percent of his body during a power flash over accident while working on lines in Fairfax, Va. Tuesday afternoon.

A passerby called authorities after noticing the contractor passed out in his bucket at Hunter Mill Road and Hunter Station Road.

The power company says “an error was made” that caused the flash over that injured the worker.

A flash over is when something or someone makes contact with the electricity and interrupts its flow. The person or object then becomes part of the circuit as the electricity tries to take the closest path to ground.

The victim was flown to the burn center at Washington Hospital Center and is listed in stable condition.

The 2,700 customers left in the dark following the incident have since had power restored.
Virginia Power is investigating the incident.