‘Very tragic’: Landscaper trimming trees dies after touching high-voltage power lines in Northboro

NORTHBORO, MASS. (WHDH) – A landscaper trimming trees died Wednesday after coming into contact with high-voltage power lines in Northboro, authorities said.

Emergency crews responding to the area of South Street around 9:30 a.m. learned that the landscaper was working in a bucket truck when he touched the power lines, according to the Northboro Police Department.

The victim, a man in his 20s, was pronounced dead after being lowered to the ground. He was said to be working alongside two other tree trimmers at the time of the incident.

South Street was closed from Northgate to Longfellow roads for several hours while investigators worked at the scene.

“It’s a nice street that leads to a park. There were a lot of people out walking today on a beautiful day who were unfortunately in the area when this tragic accident happened,” Northboro Police Lt. Brian Griffin said. “What they saw was very tragic.”

A number of witnesses said they were too traumatized to speak on camera about the incident.

Video from SKY7 HD showed emergency crews gathered around the bucket truck and the bucket had been blocked off with a partition.

National Grid was called in to cut power to the area. The power was restored later in the afternoon.

The state medical examiner will determine the man’s official cause of death.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified.

State troopers assigned to the district attorney’s office are assisting Northboro police with the investigation.