<WARNING>
The following images and text are copied from an electrical industry website in the United States. The content is repeated as written, the pictures are not pleasant and should be considered as a warning to all about the danger of electricity.
In February 1996, this person who was high on PCP (the drug angel dust) was trying to kill himself. The situation lasted for about 45 minutes. The person had walked from a previous power pole by walking on the low voltage wire, and hanging onto the other wire near him. The power company had de-energised the low voltage wire at this point. He then climbed up to the level of HIGH VOLTAGE (energised at 16,600V).
The person reached out his hand towards the live conductor. At that instant 16,600V shot through his body and he was engulfed in the ball of fire which you see. He did not fall and the air surrounding him became ionised, conductive and started to burn.
The small ball of fire towards the base of the pylon is where the arc went to earth through the street lamp. Notice the whipping action of the wire he is holding. When you compare the pictures with one another, you can see the changes as massive currents go to earth.
<WARNING> This horrific incident happened at the American standard voltage of 16,000V. In the UK, power on the national grid is transmitted at 132,000V, 275,000V and 400,000V. Let it be a warning to all - Electricity kills! Keep away from pylons, transformers and substations. If you see someone where they should not be, do not go anywhere near them - Call 999 immediately.