A man was electrocuted while pruning a mesquite tree in South Texas on Saturday ahead of a winter storm, multiple media outlets reported.
Vicente Morgado, 54, was electrocuted when his saw touched a power line while pruning a tree on the grounds of a church in La Jolla, KRGV Channel 5 News. reportedquoting La Jolla Police Chief Ramon Gonzalez. The police chief said he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Power company AEP Texas shut down power lines so first responders could assist Morgado. According to To Valley Central.
Lt. Manuel Casas of the La Jolla Police Department warned anyone attempting to remove tree limbs tangled in power lines to first contact the utility company, calling it “a very dangerous activity.”
La Jolla City announced Emergency power outage pending approval from AEP. they later announced AEP has reportedly restored power.
La Jolla Fire Department I was grateful Mission and McAllen firefighters responded to the emergency call. (Related: At least 15 people die as power lines energize, bridge energizes: report)
Man electrocuted while cutting down a tree in La Jollahttps://t.co/2SQZ5ZYLDu
— KRGV Channel 5 News (@krgv) January 18, 2025
Mr. Morgado was a “devoted husband, father and friend” and “a darling of La Jolla” who loved his job and the city, the statement said. GoFundMe campaign in his memory.
“The saw my father was using came into contact with a power line, in which case he passed out and became trapped in the tree. Two hours passed before emergency personnel could remove him, and he collapsed as well. ”, the fundraising activity report said in part.
As of publication, the campaign has raised nearly half of its $9,000 goal.
“I wish I could be half the man he was. If I were, I would be happy,” said Morgado’s son, Sebastian. said KRGV.
A native of Veracruz, Mexico, Morgardo founded his landscaping business in La Jolla more than 20 years ago. Sebastian said he started by knocking on doors to get landscaping jobs.
“I worked with him since I could walk. Since I was 8 years old, he took me around and taught me work ethic,” his son told the outlet. “I always knew this day would come, that I would have to help and provide for my family while he was gone. I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”
In May 2024, a tree service company employee died in similar circumstances in Atlanta, Georgia. The man was reportedly working on private property. A neighbor described the sight of the deceased groomer “hanging there” as “very disturbing”. In June 2024, another logging worker was electrocuted on the job in Florida. According to To Tampa Bay No. 10.
According to one report, approximately 1,000 people die each year in the United States from electric shocks, 400 of which are caused by high voltage. study.
