Abstract:The analysis carried out in this paper refers to a non-occupational accident that occurred in Greece few years ago, in which a man suffered a fatal electric shock, when coming into contact with the metallic protective cover of an energised guy wire of a medium voltage line. From this specific analysis a new class of electrical accident is presented and investigated in which the contact between a medium voltage conductor and a guy wire (or other metallic surface) does not cause the de-energisation of the line (for a variety of reasons), and can result in an energised guy wire which presents an electrocution risk and a fire ignition risk. Proposals of technical and informational measures are made in order to prevent similar future accidents.Keywords: contact with power line; electric shock; external partial discharges; fire ignition risk; non-occupational accident; overhead power line.