A routine tree job in Whitewater turned deadly Monday morning when a 29-year-old worker was killed after a suspected lightning strike at a job site just north of Whitewater High School.
The crew had been working near Elizabeth Street and Laurel Street when the incident unfolded. Whitewater Fire & EMS said the man was found unresponsive in a tree and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Crew Reports Thunderous Bang, Blinding Flash
According to FOX6 News Milwaukee, the worker was part of a crew subcontracted by We Energies to clear trees in the area. A supervisor reported hearing a loud bang and seeing a flash, and the crew believed lightning had struck the tree.
Officials told FOX6 News Milwaukee that there was no immediate evidence the man came into contact with energized electrical lines. The crew, who were wearing safety harnesses, helped lower him from the tree after emergency responders arrived.
Lightning A Constant Threat For Outdoor Work
The City of Whitewater warns that lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from rainfall and urges people to seek shelter as soon as thunderstorms threaten.
The National Weather Service notes that workers in and around tall objects face a heightened risk of being hit. Federal safety regulators at OSHA say employers should have a written lightning safety plan in place for outdoor crews.
Cause Of Death Still Under Investigation
The official cause of death has not yet been determined. The Walworth County Medical Examiner's Office and the Whitewater Police Department are handling the investigation, according to FOX6 News Milwaukee.
