A 19-YEAR-OLD man suffered serious burns after climbing 30 feet up an electricity pylon carrying 30,000 volts.

Liam Flynn, of Dominica Avenue, Lower Darwen, was rescued by fire crews and paramedics after the incident at Eccleshill Gardens in Roman Road, Blackburn, at 8pm last night.

Sub Officer Eric Troffer, from Blackburn fire station, said today: "It is a wonder he was not killed."

Liam had climbed 30ft up the pylon and came into contact with high voltage insulators. He was rescued by fire crews as he tried to climb back down past barbed wire. An incident support unit from Accrington and a rope rescue team were also mobilised.

Sub Officer Troffer added: "There are conflicting stories as to why he was up there. He suffered shock and serious burns when he touched the insulator.

"We could not put rescue ladders against the insulators so rescued him from the barbed wire surround which was about 7ft high.

"The barbed wire is there to stop people climbing up. No-one should go anywhere near them."

Liam was carried across a field by paramedics before being taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary. He was later transferred to a specialist unit at Wynthenshaw Hospital.

Inspector Steve Howarth said: "The lesson is quickly learnt in these situations. We will liaise with United Utilities to ensure the area is safe and that there is no danger to the public.

"It is clearly a very dangerous thing to be doing. A member of the public alerted the emergency services."

A representative from United Utilities attended the scene and cut off the electricity to the pylon to allow emergency services to work safely.

A spokesman said: "We received a call that a man was in difficulty. There are different pylons with the smaller ones carrying 10,000 volts. But this depends on the area. This pylon carried 30,000 volts.

"There are anti-climbing devices and signs near all the pylons to deter people from climbing up. We do not advise it and it could have been a lot worse."

Liam's family did not wish to comment today.