Landscaper Electrocuted by Live Wire

A landscaper in his 70s was shocked by a live wire while working in a tree in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, and he later died after being taken to Broward Health Medical Center, local news outlets reported, citing Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue. The accident happened in the 700 block of Northeast 15th Court late Thursday morning, according to WPLG Local 10. WSVN 7News reported the worker had been picking mangoes when the apparatus he was using made contact with a power line. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue did not immediately release the man’s name. ### Where did the accident happen? The 700 block of Northeast 15th Court in Fort Lauderdale was the site of the accident, according to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue statements cited by WPLG Local 10 and WSVN. Both outlets reported the worker was in a tree when he came into contact with an energized line. (local10.com) Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue told Local 10 the incident occurred late Thursday morning. WSVN described the location as a residential neighborhood and said rescue crews responded after the worker was shocked by a power line. ### What do officials say happened in the tree? WSVN reported the worker was picking ripe mangoes when the apparatus he was using touched a power line. (local10.com) Local 10 reported more broadly that the man was working in a tree when he was electrocuted by a live wire. The available reports did not identify the specific tool involved or say who employed the worker. (local10.com) Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, as quoted by the local outlets, said only that the victim was a landscaper in his 70s. ### How badly was the landscaper hurt? Broward Health Medical Center received the worker as a trauma alert, Local 10 reported. (local10.com) WSVN said paramedics took him there in critical condition after the shock. Local 10 later reported that the man died from his injuries at the hospital. NBC 6 also reported that officials said a landscaper had been rushed to the hospital after coming into contact with a live wire in Fort Lauderdale. (local10.com) ### What information has not been released? Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue had not publicly released the victim’s identity as of Friday, according to Local 10. (local10.com) The reports reviewed also did not include the name of an employer, the voltage of the line, or any account from investigators about whether safety procedures had been in place. WSVN said neighbors knew the man as “Mr. Gabriel,” but that identification was not confirmed by fire rescue in the reports reviewed. No agency statement in the available coverage identified a workplace regulator or announced a formal investigative finding. (local10.com) ### Who is expected to provide the next update? Local television outlets were still describing the case as developing on Friday. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue is the named agency in the initial public accounts, and any further identification of the victim or details of the incident are likely to come first from fire rescue or other local authorities. (wsvn.com) Friday’s next concrete step is the release of additional information by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue or investigators, if they provide it. Local 10 said no other details about the victim were immediately released. (local10.com)