A tragic accident claimed the life of a tree trimmer in Acworth after the man was electrocuted while on the job, as reported by authorities. The incident occurred yesterday, with the Acworth Police Department receiving a call in the early afternoon.
While working at a residence on Academy Street, the worker, who was employed by an independent tree service company, made contact with a live power line. "When we got here, we saw he was in the trees and apparently hit a power line and was electrocuted at that time, and he was deceased," Acworth Police Cpl. Eric Mistretta described the grim scene in a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Cobb County firefighters, alongside Acworth Power, worked meticulously to recover the man's body, which was still secured in the tree. "They were able to approach from both sides of the tree and respectfully and gently remove the gentleman's body from the tree," Cobb County Fire Lt. Steve Bennett affirmed, as detailed in a FOX 5 Atlanta interview. The power company had to cut electricity to the area to facilitate the safe retrieval of the body.
Residents of the street were left shocked by the tragic event. Many didn't know the victim personally but expressed deep sorrow for his family. "It's horrible, it's a horrible way to die," a disturbed Robert Carter offered his thoughts to Atlanta News First. The neighborhood was already amidst a dispute over the development of the land, and to them, this loss only deepened their woes.
Questions were raised about the power being on during tree-cutting operations. "I called Acworth Power," Debbie Carter told Atlanta News First, worried about the procedures being followed. "I’m just wondering what corners had been cut," added Robert Carter, reflecting the community's concern over adherence to safety protocols.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is conducting an investigation into the fatal accident, which sent ripples through the local community and has highlighted the inherent risks faced by those in the tree trimming profession.
