24-year-old man dies after being electrocuted while hanging up Christmas lights

Saleen Martin, USA TODAY
Updated

A 24-year-old California man was electrocuted and died while hanging Christmas lights on Thursday, according to officials.

Antonio Pascual was hanging Christmas lights the morning of Nov. 21 on a roof in Escondido, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office said in a news release.

He was hanging the lights near a high voltage powerline and when he threw the lights over the powerline, he was electrocuted. Someone called 911 and when paramedics arrived, they found Pascual “hanging upside down from a tree,” the medical examiner’s office said.

Paramedics tried to save him and took him to the nearest hospital, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital. The medical examiner ruled his death a high voltage electrocution, according to the news release.

Man was trapped for an hour, loved ones say

According to Juan Pascual, who started a GoFundMe fundraiser in honor of the 24-year-old, Antonio Pascual was trapped in the tree for an hour because first responders had to wait for the power company to turn off the power. By then, it was too late to save him, the fundraiser read.

Local officials did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s requests for comment Tuesday afternoon, but San Diego Gas & Electric or SDG&E said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that the company is saddened by what happened to the man.

"Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers and the public," the company said in the statement. "Our hearts go out to this person's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for the family involved and ongoing investigation, we cannot share specific details at this time."

When asked about how customers can protect themselves when working around power lines, SDG&E said it's important to:

  • Be aware of your surroundings, especially when working in close proximity to overhead electric lines.

  • Keep all machinery, equipment and materials such as scaffolding, tools, boat masts, fruit-picking poles, antennas, satellite dishes, pool skimmer handles, metal ladders and people in the area at least 10 feet away from the lines.

  • If you think lines are in the area you're working in, call SDG&E at 1-800-411-SDGE. Depending on what you're doing, SDG&E may be able to turn off the electricity, cover the lines or move them temporarily while you complete your work.

As for Pascual, his family would like to transport him from California to Guatemala, his birthplace, for burial. That’s also where his mother lives, the GoFundMe read.

According to the organizer, Pascual took good care of his mother and family, and Christmas lights will forever mean something special to his family.

“He was a brother, a son and (an) uncle,” the fundraiser read. “He had so much to live (for), only 24 years old. Forever young he will remain.”

This story has been updated with new information.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California man electrocuted while hanging up Christmas lights

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