It’s a decorating disaster.
A contractor in Wellesley, Massachusetts, was critically injured by an electric shock while hanging Christmas lights on a tree Wednesday morning. The 22-year-old man, employed by NZ Power Wash, was decorating a tree at Falmouth Circle around 10 a.m. when his 34-foot pole either came into close proximity to or made contact with a high-voltage power line. This resulted in the shock.
The worker collapsed immediately, and emergency responders received a 911 call reporting that he was unconscious and not breathing. A coworker performed CPR under guidance, and when the police arrived, the worker was found in cardiac arrest. Officers used an automated external defibrillator (AED), and after three attempts, they successfully restored his heartbeat.
The man was quickly transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital and later transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital for further care. While a coworker chose not to comment on the incident, they confirmed that the worker is recovering in the hospital.
Authorities, including the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), local police, and the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant, are investigating the accident. The Wellesley Police Department expressed their support for the worker and his family in a public statement.
This incident highlights the risks associated with working near power lines, particularly during the holiday season when tasks like decorating are common. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the accident and prevent future incidents.
