Westbury resident and window cleaner Jason Knight has reached a significant milestone in his recovery journey this month with the fitting of a new prosthetic arm, several months after he survived a harrowing 33,000-volt electric shock.
The accident, which occurred on 6th April, left Jason, a father of three, without his left forearm and several toes after electricity jumped nearly two metres from a low-hanging overhead cable while he was cleaning windows on a property in Westbury.
Since the incident, Jason has been on a challenging path to recovery, supported by his family, friends and the local community.
Last month, he received a non-functional prosthetic arm fitted with a basic fake hand designed to help his body adjust to the weight of an arm again.
“It was a very emotional day for me when I picked it up,” Jason said. “At the moment, it’s quite basic, with just a fake hand to help my arm and muscles get used to having something at the end. You wouldn’t believe how fantastic that feels. I can’t grip yet, but I can pick up a phone and a bottle. I haven’t tried a cup of tea yet—I don’t think that’s wise right now; it needs a bit of practice!”
He added, “It’s made a massive difference; I was used to having my sleeve hang down, but now it looks normal. I’m going back in a month to have a hook fitted that will be operational; I’ll be able to open and close it to pick things up, which will be another big step forward.
“We’re aiming for stage three, which is a fully functioning bionic arm. That’s at least six months to a year away, but it’s the goal. It’s unbelievable what they can do now; the prosthetic arms and legs are incredible.”
Jason has also acquired a new electric wheelchair, funded by some of the money raised through a GoFundMe campaign. “That has been an absolute game-changer,” he said. “I couldn’t walk very far before needing to sit down and rest; now I can get out and about a lot more. This has been a giant step for me and has helped me gain a newfound independence that I couldn’t have imagined just a short time ago. A massive thanks to everyone who has helped fundraise or donated; it has made such a difference.”
Jason and his family continue to campaign for water-fed poles, widely used in the window-cleaning industry, to be insulated to British standards to protect professionals from electrocution. While these poles are essential for reaching high and otherwise inaccessible windows, they also pose significant electrical hazards when used near overhead power lines.
Jason’s father, John, said, “Accidents like the one suffered by Jason are entirely preventable. We’re campaigning to change the law and raise awareness. Cheap equipment is being manufactured and sold in the UK without adhering to British Standards; we want to see that change.
“One manufacturer in Swindon is set to start producing poles designed to British Standards, but for the rest of the industry, it’s like trying to wade through treacle. Non-insulated poles are still widely sold, and we’re working to change that. We hope to implement legislation requiring all water-fed domestic poles under 22 feet to be insulated to British Standards. If this had been in place, Jason wouldn’t have been electrocuted, and many people who have been killed would still be here today. That’s our mission.
“Our hope is that Jason’s injuries weren’t in vain.”
