Pennsylvania teacher/coach killed by downed power line


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EASTON, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania high school teacher and assistant football coach has been electrocuted by a power line that fell into his yard.

The Northampton County coroner says it appears 32-year-old Thomas Poynton Jr. died from the current of the 34,500-volt line even though he didn't come into contact with it. The electricity apparently passed through the ground of his yard in Williams Township and shocked him.

Met-Ed was still investigation what caused the line to fail. Other lines had been downed by heavy thunderstorms on Monday evening. Poynton died when the line came down about 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Poynton taught and coached at Palisades High School in neighboring Bucks County.

Grief counselors were at the school Wednesday and Thursday.

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