Morabito instinctively slowed his vehicle to get a clearer view, unaware that he was approaching a life-or-death scene that would define both his career and the lives of the men involved.
At the center of the commotion were two electrical line workers performing routine maintenance on a power distribution system.
One of them, later identified in reports as J.D. Champion, was positioned near the top of the pole, handling complex equipment.
While adjusting a connection, Champion accidentally made direct contact with a high-voltage line, estimated to carry more than 4,000 volts of electricity.
The shock was immediate and severe. Champion was rendered unconscious almost instantly.
Thankfully, a safety harness prevented him from falling to the ground, which could have resulted in fatal injuries or permanent disability.
However, the electrical current was so powerful that his breathing and pulse stopped almost immediately.
Suspended helplessly in his harness high above the street, Champion was entirely unresponsive—a situation that would have been fatal within seconds under normal circumstances.
Champion, by contrast, had come into contact with more than double that amount of electricity, underscoring the extreme danger of the situation.
A Co-Worker Reacts Instantly
On a lower section of the pole, another electrician, Randall G. Thompson, witnessed the accident unfold in real time.
Thompson understood immediately that his colleague’s life was in imminent danger.
Without hesitation, he climbed toward Champion, navigating the narrow utility pole with remarkable agility and focus.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic yet strangely silent. Chaotic, because the crowd below was gripped by fear; silent, because the rescue depended entirely on Thompson’s ability to act quickly and efficiently, without panicking.
In those first crucial seconds, Thompson assessed Champion’s condition, noted the absence of breathing and pulse, and understood that immediate action was required.
Balancing precariously, he delivered life-saving breaths to Champion, maintaining focus despite the height and danger of the situation.
Performing CPR under such conditions demanded not only physical strength and endurance but also remarkable courage and composure.
A Photographer’s Instinct Captures History
As Thompson worked to revive Champion, Rocco Morabito’s instincts as a photojournalist kicked in.
He immediately recognized that he was witnessing more than a simple workplace accident—it was a life-or-death struggle unfolding before his eyes.
Morabito quickly positioned himself to capture the moment, all while keeping an eye on the safety of those involved.
He raised his camera, adjusted for the lighting and angle, and snapped the decisive shot: Thompson giving rescue breaths to Champion, both men suspended high above the street in a harness.
The photograph captured not only the urgency and technical difficulty of the rescue but also the deeply human connection between two colleagues in a critical moment of vulnerability.
Within minutes, additional workers arrived to assist, and emergency medical personnel were called to the scene.
Champion, initially unresponsive, began to show faint signs of life as Thompson continued resuscitation.
By the time emergency responders reached the pole and transported Champion to the hospital, he had regained a pulse and was breathing independently—a miraculous outcome given the severity of the shock.
The Photograph That Defined a Career Continue reading…
