Several workers were visibly alarmed, and a small crowd had begun to assemble on the street, craning their necks and whispering anxiously.
The High-Voltage Accident
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.
To appreciate the gravity of the moment, it is important to consider the context: historical electric chairs used significantly lower voltages, around 2,000 volts, yet were capable of killing a human being within minutes.
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.
Without the luxury of descending to the ground or accessing medical equipment, Thompson began administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation directly on the pole.
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
Though Morabito had been assigned to cover an entirely different story that day, the photograph he captured quickly overshadowed the original assignment.
In later interviews, Morabito recalled that his supervisor initially questioned why he had abandoned his coverage, but those concerns evaporated as soon as the image was developed and reviewed.
Editors and colleagues alike recognized that Morabito had captured a truly extraordinary moment, both technically and emotionally.
The photograph was soon published widely across the United States and gained international attention.
The title “The Kiss of Life” was coined shortly after publication, perfectly capturing the act of heroism and compassion depicted in the image.
Recognition and the Pulitzer Prize
In 1968, Rocco Morabito was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography, the highest honor in American journalism.
The Pulitzer committee highlighted the photograph’s extraordinary demonstration of courage, immediacy, and human connection.
It was praised not only for its technical excellence but also for its ability to convey the raw emotion and intensity of a life-saving act in a single frame.
Today, “The Kiss of Life” is considered one of the defining images of 20th-century photojournalism.
It is frequently used in training programs for journalists, first responders, and safety professionals, illustrating both the power of photography to tell human stories and the importance of courage and presence of mind in emergency situations.
The Aftermath of the Rescue
Both men survived the harrowing incident. Champion required medical treatment but fully recovered from the electrical shock.
Thompson, whose calm and decisive actions saved his colleague’s life, continued working as an electrical line worker and earned widespread recognition for his bravery.
In interviews years later, Thompson downplayed the heroism attributed to him: “I just reacted,” he said. “Anyone in my position would have done the same.”
His humility only reinforced the human element that made the photograph so compelling—a story of ordinary people rising to extraordinary challenges.
Morabito continued his career at the Jacksonville Journal, capturing countless images over the years. Yet none resonated with audiences as deeply or endured as long as “The Kiss of Life.”
Its unique combination of documentary journalism, human compassion, and technical skill ensured that the photograph remained his most celebrated and enduring work. Continue reading…
