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'High voltage': Police issue warning for bizarre activity

Police had to issue a very strange warning after people began erecting hammocks in a very dangerous place.

Last week, Weber County Sheriff's Office in the US state of Utah said in recent years there had been an increase in people "hammocking" from the power line tower.

The Sheriff's Department said the "hammockers" were climbing up the tower and setting up their hammocks in the North Ogden and Pleasant View area.

Police shared an image of what appears to be people reclining on hammocks from the power lines.

"These lines carry 75,000 kilovolts and that power can jump from the lines," the warning that was shared on Facebook said.

"This activity is extremely risky."

A Sheriff's Department in Utah said in recent years people have been setting up hammocks on power lines. Source: Facebook/Weber County Sheriff's Office
A Sheriff's Department in Utah said in recent years people have been setting up hammocks on power lines. Source: Facebook/Weber County Sheriff's Office

"Risky" is a slight understatement – one person in the comments said they remember a teenager in the 80s climbed the power lines and died in a "very sad" ordeal.

To counter the reckless behaviour and deter people from setting up hammocks on the power lines, the Weber County Sheriff's Office said officers and Rocky Mountain Power would be conducting extra patrols in the area.

Anyone caught on the towers will be cited for trespassing.

"We would really hate to see someone injured from either a fall or electrocution," the sheriff's office said.

"Parents, please pass this along to your children."

People in the comments were dumbfounded anyone would think setting up a hammock on the power lines is a good idea.

"What is wrong with people!?" one person commented, while another said the "level of stupidity" was "astounding".

Someone else said they see people doing this "all the time" while mountain biking in the North Ogden-Pleasant View area.

According to KUTV, linemen are advised by Rocky Mountain Power officials to not go within 20 feet, or roughly six metres, of an active power line.

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