VIDALIA, La. (AP) — A long-time Vidalia electrical lineman was hospitalized with third-degree burns after touching a live wire outside the city's municipal complex.

The Natchez Democrat reports (http://bit.ly/MSrW3a ) that Travis Todd was working Monday in a transformer near City Hall when the accident happened.

Todd was airlifted to Crossgates River Oaks Hospital in Brandon, where he was treated at the burn center.

Mayor Hyram Copeland said Todd was burned on 35 percent of his body and will need surgery, but he was recovering.

Copeland said Todd had been a lineman for the city for about 10 years.

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