Bio: Hagen, Anthony G. – Electrocuted (Jul 1976)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hagen, Buchanan

---------Source: Owen Enterprise (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 07 Jul 1976

Anthony G. Hagen, 24, route 2, Owen, was reportedly burned beyond recognition by a surge of electricity which traveled through a flagpole from a 7,200 volt power line.

He died instantly of accidental electrocution about 3 p.m. Friday when the flagpole he was handling came in contact with the power line.

The accident happened at his home, about four miles northeast of Owen in the Town of Hoard.

According to Clark County deputies, Hagen and his wife were taking down a flagpole in their front yard. They were planning to install a rope to pull the flag to the top of the pole.

Hagen was concerned that the pole might fall on the family car parked nearby. His wife, Marilyn, went into the house to get a rope. When she returned she found her husband on a concrete sidewalk with the flagpole in contact with the power line and his body. He was already in flames.

A neighbor, Vern Buchanan, heard her screams and rushed to the scene. A worker for the Clark Electric Cooperative drove by just after the accident happened and rushed to shut off the power, after which the flagpole was removed.

He was employed by Wagner Trucking Co. of Owen.