Man nearly electrocuted while hanging Christmas lights on tree

A man hired to hang Christmas lights on a large tree in Massachusetts was nearly electrocuted, police said.

The incident occurred around 10 a.m. Wednesday when the Wellesley Police Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting that a man had died, possibly by electrocution, on Falmouth Circle in Wellesley, according to a statement from the Wellesley Police Department.

“The victim, a contractor hired by a resident, was placing holiday lights on a large tree using a pole,” authorities said. “The pole used appears to have come close to or contacted the main power line on the utility pole. The victim then appears to have suffered a life-threatening electric shock.”

Police said the man who was shocked immediately lost consciousness, had a seizure and stopped breathing.

The Wellesley Police Officer then gave CPR instructions to the emergency caller, and the caller performed CPR until officers arrived on the scene a few minutes later.

“Wellesley Police Officers Tim Gover, Mike Pino and Scott Whittemore were the first emergency responders to arrive on scene and observed the victim going into sudden cardiac arrest,” police said. “A co-worker of the victim was performing chest compressions as instructed by Wellesley Police Officers. Wellesley Police Officers took over CPR and began clearing the area as the actual cause of the electrocution was unknown at that time.”

Emergency responders then used a defibrillator on the victim while continuing to provide CPR. Police said the man was given multiple shocks until he revived and regained a pulse.

“The victim was transported by Needham Fire to Newton Wellesley Hospital,” according to the Wellesley Police Department. “The victim was initially treated at Newton Wellesley Hospital and later transported to Massachusetts General Hospital.”

Wellesley Police Detectives conducted an investigation and determined that the large pole the man was using to hang holiday lights was too close to or actually touching the main power line at the top of the utility pole and was electrocuted when contact was made. .

“The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was contacted to investigate in accordance with department policy,” police said. “OSHA inspectors responded to the scene and are working with WMLP and Wellesley Police. The Wellesley Police, Fire and WMLP Departments extend our thoughts and prayers to the victim and his family during this tragic incident.”

The incident is currently under investigation and no further information is available at this time.