A local painter was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital Saturday afternoon after being shocked on the job and falling several feet. It happened in the community of Colman, which is about 30 miles north of Sioux Falls on Interstate 29.

The 35 year old victim was working on a painting project here at T & R Electric in Colman, but he was an employee of Califan Painting. A representative for Califan Painting told me the victim is doing okay, in spite of what he's been through.

Investigators tell us the incident happened far back inside the T & R Electric property. When it happened the painter was on an electric substation with a metal painting pole. Brion Kimball is the Colman Police Chief. "The pole of his painting stick came in contact with the lines of the substation. Which he was subsequently electrocuted and fell 15 to 20 feet to the pavement below."

The police chief says on his way down the victim, who's identity is not being released, hit several steel girders. He was conscious, but had a head wound when he was taken to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Kimball says, "for being electrocuted and falling that distance to the ground he seemed to be in really good condition."

As for a cause of the accident, the Colman Police Chief says it was case of the worker being careless. And as far as the law enforcement angle, the investigation is wrapped up.