Advertising promotion

SA Power Networks is reminding people of safety around powerlines in its new campaign.

The campaign tells the story of Bradley Richardson, who lost both his legs, had 35 per cent burns to his body and organ damage after a farm accident in 2018.

“I wanted to tell my story so others don’t get hurt,” Bradley said.

“Especially if you see someone in a dangerous job for 30 years and they don’t see any accidents.

“They become complacent and that’s when they get hurt.”

Bradley worked as a farm labourer and also helped his boss with fabrication and construction of hay sheds, and was injured while working on a farm at Hilltown near Clare on October 22, 2018.

“I was lubricating the scissor lift, I was on the ground, leaning over the engine of the machine,” he said.

“It hit the powerline and earthed out through me.

“I got 19,000 volts three times.

“The pain was incredible. there was so much pressure.

“I felt the most insane heat you’d ever imagine.

“I actually had a third-person experience.

“I stood next to myself and I was like, ‘Shit, that looks like it hurts, mate’.

“I could just see how hurt I was, because I was just stuck there.

“I was just frozen, like, ‘I hope this hurries up and ends’.”

The current entered through Bradley’s right hand and chest and exited from his feet, right cheek and the back of his skull.

The damage was extensive but the injuries to his legs and feet were the worst.

“To see that they were gone that was the hardest thing,” Bradley said.

“As soon as I woke up from my coma, I looked down and I could see that my feet would normally have the blanket up but they weren’t there at all.

“And I was like, ‘That’s not good, they’re gone’.”

The pain and impact on his life remains significant, having to learn to redo everything.

“First in a wheelchair, and then I had to do it all again learning to walk on prosthetics,” Bradley said.

“It was totally different to a pair of feet, to normal legs.

“I can’t say it has just been bad, because I’ve learned a lot from it.

“It’s been bloody amazing sometimes.

“I have learned what’s important in life, what actually matters in this world.”

Bradley is now back riding motorbikes, thanks to specialised prosthetics, and has ambitions to buy a farm and have a few sheep and cattle.

SA Power Networks head of corporate affairs Paul Roberts said Bradley’s story was both shocking and inspiring.

“SA Power Networks would like to thank Bradley for being willing to share his story and be so open about his experience,” Mr Roberts said.

“In 2022, we have had a larger number than usual of on-farm incidents and we are hoping Bradley’s story will resonate with farmers who will soon be out harvesting broadacre crops.

“It’s an emotional story that brings home the terrible consequences of electric shock.

“But Bradley’s courage, determination and humour shine through.”