A young man was badly injured early this morning when he was apparently shocked after touching an electrical line on an Allegheny Power transmission tower in Butler.

Scott Tucker, 22, and Leonard Teuteberg, 23, both of Butler, had climbed 70 feet up the tower behind Butler Fabricating on Kittanning Street.

That decision, which Teuteberg admitted was "pretty stupid," just after 4 a.m. touched off a two-hour rescue high above the ground where Tucker lay clutching onto a metal crossbeam.

Teuteberg also was in need of rescue, but he was not injured.

Authorities suspect alcohol might have contributed to the men's poor judgment.

Two South Butler firefighters, both experts in tower rescue, scaled the metal structure and managed to bring both men down in the dark of early morning in near freezing temperatures.

Tucker, once on the ground, was rushed by ambulance to Butler Memorial Hospital. He was conscious but in pain.

Rescuers believed his right ankle appeared to have been burned, possibly the result of being shocked by the electrical wires.

His left hip and pelvis were also badly injured, maybe fractured. He suffered those injuries after dropping about 20 feet from one crossbeam to another.

Authorities said Tucker, Teuteberg and a third man were apparently walking through woods when they came upon the tower.

The other man did not climb the tower.

Butler police said Tucker and Teuteberg would be charged with trespass.