A 22-year-old contractor from Massachusetts suffered life-threatening injuries after being electrocuted while installing Christmas lights in Wellesley, a town in Greater Boston. The incident occurred Wednesday morning as the worker, hired to hang lights on a large tree, used a 34-foot pole that either touched or came dangerously close to an electrical line on a utility pole, according to the Wellesley Police Department (WPD).
First responders received a 911 call around 10 a.m. reporting that the man had collapsed after a powerful electric shock. A witness described him as unconscious and not breathing. A dispatcher guided the caller to begin CPR until emergency personnel arrived.
Wellesley police officers were first on the scene and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) in an attempt to save the man’s life. "Wellesley first responders delivered multiple shocks from the AED in between providing CPR and breathing for the victim," the WPD said. After three attempts, the man’s heartbeat was restored.
"The last shock administered to the victim by the AED appeared to revive him as he regained a pulse," the WPD statement added. The contractor, an employee of NZ Power Wash in Framingham, was immediately transported to Newton-Wellesley Hospital and later transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital for further treatment.
“He’ll be pretty lucky if he survives,” Officer Tim Gover told reporters, describing the severity of the incident.
A coworker who witnessed the accident declined to comment but confirmed that the injured man is recovering in the hospital.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened an investigation into the incident, collaborating with local authorities and the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (WMLP). The goal is to determine the circumstances that led to the accident and whether safety regulations were followed.
In a statement shared by NBC News, the WPD expressed its condolences: "The Wellesley Police, Fire, and WMLP Departments extend our thoughts and prayers to the victim and his family during this tragic incident."
The case highlights the dangers associated with working near high-voltage utility lines, especially during the holiday season when many contractors are hired for decorations. Investigations will aim to improve workplace safety standards to prevent similar incidents.
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