'X-Files' crewman electrocuted

2000-08-01 08:05

Los Angeles - A member of a television production crew working on an episode of the science-fiction drama "X-Files" was electrocuted and six others were injured when an electrical line sent a 4 800-volt charge through the scaffold they were using.

"It charged the entire scaffolding," Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells said. Six people were standing on the scaffolding on Monday, and a seventh person was on the ground, he said.

It was not clear how the power line came into contact with the scaffolding, which was set up 5 metres above the ground at the back of a three-storey apartment building, Wells said.

In the hit television series two FBI agents explore the supernatural, extraterrestrial and other unverifiable phenomenon to investigate crimes.

The crew was working on the season premiere of "The X-Files", the spooky series about the paranormal produced by 20th Century Fox, said Steven Melnick, the studio's vice president of media relations.

Melnick identified the man killed as Jim Engh. Melnick said he did not know his age or how long he had worked for the show. Engh had been on the scaffolding.

A second person was hospitalized in serious condition after earlier being listed in critical condition, Melnick said. The other five victims were treated and released, he said.

"All of us are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague Jim Engh," Chris Carter, creator and executive producer of "The X-Files", said in a statement.

"Our hearts go out to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by all who have known him and worked with him," Carter said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the other crew members who were injured. We wish them a speedy recovery."

According to a production notice at the scene, the crew was filming a scene involving dialogue, a foot chase down an interior rear stairwell and rain effects on rear stair windows.

Filming at the location was to begin on Tuesday, Melnick said. He said he was not sure if the filming would go forward as planned. None of the actors in the series, which stars Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny, was present when the accident occurred.

- AP