Neil Moore is one of the latest survivors to speak out after a serious electrocution involving 11,000 volts.
He has shared his account with the Look Up Look Out campaign so that other workers, families, and buyers of telescopic and water-fed pole equipment can understand what can happen in seconds — often without the pole touching the overhead line.
Why Neil is speaking out
Electricity can arc from overhead lines to a nearby pole. You do not have to touch the cable for a catastrophic injury to occur.
Neil wants his experience to serve as a warning: before the pole goes up, look up. Before the job starts, look out.
This page will be updated with Neil's full story in his own words, together with photographs he has agreed to share. If you are an editor with access to Keystatic, open Survivor stories → Neil Moore to add the narrative and upload images to the Photo gallery field or embed them in the story body.
What we know
Neil survived an 11,000-volt electrocution.
He is sharing his story alongside Jason Knight's story to help raise awareness across the industry and beyond.
His account reinforces the same core message as other survivor stories on this site: overhead electricity is not a background detail on a domestic job — it can change a life permanently in an instant.
Neils Story
My name is Neil Moore owner of Neetons Window Cleaning Ipswich. On the 5th June 2026 I was cleaning solar panels on a residential home roof. The roof was quite flat pitched so the distance I had to stand was further back from the property than usual. Not realising that by doing so I had then positioned myself under powerlines.
I needed to bring my pole down to re angle my brush head. On doing so I pulled in 3 sections then lifted my pole up to pull in remaining sections but unfortunately hit the 11000V overhead powerline.
The pole I was using was a (Streamline ova8 full carbon fibre) where none of the sections were non conductive so the voltage went down my pole entering my left hand causing an entry burn hole, it then went through my body and exited through my feet, blowing holes in my trainer.
Both the Hospital and I agree the type of trainer I was wearing, being full rubber, probably aided my survival. One burn on my left foot did not fully open leaving an internal lump and I have 4 exit burn holes on my right foot. Fortunately, the homeowner was home during the event and called for an ambulance.
During my hospital stay my ck blood levels spiked to 1566 normal levels being 70-200 I’m told. These levels were doubling daily, so had to be reduced quickly to stop the risk of the ck levels attacking my body organs. I was put on a 5 day and night intravenous saline flush along with drinking 5 pints of water per hour to bring these levels down. Day 2-800ck, day 3-500ck, day 4- 370ck day 5-78ck.
On day 3 my electrolytes had been flushed out due to saline flushing so then I had to have a secondary electrolyte and sodium intake via intravenous.
The feeling of the electrocution is difficult to put into words but although the feeling wasn’t painful at the time it was a violent feeling with a heat, almost like my insides were melting like sensation. I physically could not let go of the pole and was ridged myself.
I remember falling to the ground then that’s it until I regained consciousness.
The muscle pain in my legs, arms and shoulders were horrendous, a deep pain with my legs especially feeling like they had tripled in size.
I also had difficulty breathing.
During my time in hospital I had time to ponder do I speak up about this or just do nothing. The reason for my hesitation was one of pride, that I had become complacent and didn’t notice the powerlines.
My mindset soon changed. I added myself to some Facebook groups and told what happened. The response was overwhelming with people wishing me well, especially John and Jason Knight from Look Up Look Out and Adam from Ultra Reach who have been a massive support emotionally. For me though it was also about helping to raise awareness of the dangers of overhead power lines.
I know I am lucky to have survived this and to be here to continue being a father and husband where some are sadly not, so please always look up, look out and keep safe.
Neil
If you have been affected
If you or someone you know has been harmed by poles and overhead electricity, you are not alone.
- Report a near miss — share what happened so others can learn (no blame, no shame)
- Safety basics — flashover, carbon fibre, and when to call 105
- Before you start: look up, look out — practical guidance before work begins
- Contact & support — reach the campaign team