A contractor in Wellesley was seriously injured on Wednesday while hanging holiday lights. According to reports from the Wellesley Police Department, the man suffered a life-threatening electrical shock around 10 a.m. on Falmouth Circle. Emergency services responded to the scene after a 911 call reported that the man was unconscious and not breathing. The caller performed CPR with guidance from the dispatcher until first responders arrived, according to WCVB.
Police officers and firefighters from Wellesley, with assistance from the Needham Fire Department, performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator to revive a man. After the final shock, he was taken to Newton Wellesley Hospital and later transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital for further treatment. His condition was not confirmed, as reported by WHDH.
An investigation is underway involving the Wellesley police, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant to determine the cause of an accident. It seems a pole used to hang holiday lights may have touched or come close to a power line. Officer Tim Gover told WHDH, "it kind of really hits home thinking how quickly something can go from good to bad." The accident emphasizes the need for safety during holiday decoration setups, and authorities are working to improve safety measures.
