JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man is dead after he was electrocuted while trimming trees on the city's Northside, according to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
JFRD said a call around 11:15 a.m. Saturday reported a man who was working in a tree had possibly been electrocuted.
Crews responded to the scene in the 3700 block of Townsend Oak Court and found a man dead in the trees, according to JFRD. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said the man was between 30 and 40.
Fire rescue crews could not get to the victim because of live power lines. JEA was called to disconnect the electrical lines near the tree.
“Made every attempt that we could to get up there safely, power lines were an issue and unfortunately the person was deceased," said JFRD Captain Eric Prosswimmer.
Power is disconnected to a handful of homes in the area while crews work the scene.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office also responded to the scene. The man accidentally hit a powerline while 50 feet in the air, the agency said, and pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim has not been identified at this time, and first responders are working to determine whether the victim was a homeowner or a professional working in the area.
Prosswimmer is warning anyone planning on doing tree work to use extreme caution.
"Power lines are extremely dangerous whether you're trimming tree whether you're putting ladders up whether your doing anything power lines are nothing to be messed with," said Prosswimmer.
