Blantyre boy Gil Farid (aged 6) had a miraculous escape in September 1978, after surviving electrocution from overhead lines!

Gil was lucky to be alive after being hit with a 25,000 v shock off the overhead lines above Low Blantyre Station. Gil, along with friends, had picked up a 12 foot piece of wire from waste ground and carried it down the Station Road.

However, the wire touched the overhead lines and he was thrown off his feet with the shock blast that followed. Horrified adults ran to the scene and after making the wire safe, rushed Gil to Hospital, where thankfully he only had minor burns.

Do you know Gil?

Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said,

Ann Hunter Bell Gil Farid

Claire Conner I remember this. I went to school with his sister Elizabeth x

Moira Hunter Just shared in on Gil page !

Anne-Marie Neethling Barbara Mc Cormick Farid!!

Sadie Dolan Remember it well know his family well, xx

Elizabeth Farid the famous Gil farid .

William Mackay Was in the same class as Gil at School. He said at the time that it was his rubber soled trainers that saved him.

Gord Fotheringham There is a spot in this picture where the miners used to go to work at the priory……was a big set of stairs……behind Stuart’s building….