Shocked Electrical Worker Improves

A private electrical contractor shocked by a 2,400-volt current while working in an underground vault on the Cal State Northridge campus is expected to survive, authorities said Sunday.

The condition of Marlin Navarro, 26, was upgraded from critical to serious at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, authorities said. A nursing supervisor said she believes he will recover from his injuries.

Navarro, who was in business with his father, received the shock shortly after 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Rescue workers said Navarro was not breathing and had no pulse when they arrived at the scene. Paramedics were able to revive Navarro, authorities said. They credited a campus security officer who administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation with helping save Navarro.