Seen this the other day , not sure if its posted elsewhere
Man electrocuted in tunnel beneath mental hospital
A man has died after being electrocuted while in tunnels underneath an abandoned mental hospital.
10:23AM BST 04 May 2011
Devon and Cornwall Police are understood to be looking into whether the 40-year-old was attempting to steal copper pipes from the site of the former St Lawrence's Hospital site in Bodmin, Cornwall.
The site is also popular with ''urban explorers'', people who gain entry, often through breaking in, to industrial and other buildings - most often disused structures - for the thrill of exploring empty spaces
The man, who has not been identified, was in the tunnels with another man, aged in his 30s, when the accident occurred at around 2.20pm on Easter Monday, April 25.
The extensive networks of tunnels carry the water, gas and electricity pipes for the hospital, which has been closed since 2002.
Detective Constable Sarah Northcott, who is investigating the death, said he was found dead at an old laundry building on the site, which was founded as the county lunatic asylum in 1815.
''We believe he was electrocuted in an underground tunnel,'' she said.
''Another man, who was uninjured, was able to raise the alarm. The exact circumstances of his death are unknown at this time and our investigations are continuing.''
The land, which also incorporates the town's current hospital, is owned and run by the Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust.
A spokeswoman confirmed that the incident took place on the trust's land.
''All entrances to the tunnels are secure and the site is monitored around the clock by security patrols,'' she said.
The site is popular with urban explorers.
Several online forums have write-ups of the empty hospital buildings, with pictures including those of the pipe tunnels. They describe seeing security guards but are able to avoid being spotted as they gain entry to the buildings and explore them.
One explorer wrote: ''I know St Lawrence's has been done before, but it's still a fantastic building that has remained relatively unscathed by vandals, chavs, the homeless and otherwise.
''I'm not going to write the history of it due to it previously being done, and that's the one thing that doesn't change!
''There is still 24-hour security patrolling the site, but like most places they are fairly reluctant to enter the building without the police.
''I spent about 2 hours inside and I managed to do most of it, although the sub-tunnels that run underneath are an exploration in themselves.''
Another wrote: ''Access was walk in, and though the place is PIR'd (passive-infrared motion sensors) to the max, I soon gave up any pretence of stealth and waited to be busted.
''After two hours, as I was on my way out, I nearly bumped into Mr Seccer man, but managed to avoid him. It was 8pm on the dot and I think he was just doing his regular round.
''It's pretty stripped out now and large areas (most of the wards and upstairs areas) are internally locked. The hall is mint and admin is stunning, with lots of stained glass, oak panelling and beautiful glazed tiles.''
