MEC&F Expert Engineers : Tree-trimming worker with Mortensen Tree Service electrocuted to death in Littleton, Colorado

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Tree-trimming worker with Mortensen Tree Service electrocuted to death in Littleton, Colorado







LITTLETON, CO - Some Littleton residents are without power after a worker trimming trees was electrocuted.

The man did not survive.

According to Littleton Fire, the man was with a crew working in a large tree on a sloped lawn. There were power lines nearby. He was about 30 feet up when the accident happened.

They said they do not know how he came in contact with the power lines as he was wearing appropriate safety gear and appeared to be tied to the tree correctly.

Littleton Fire and Xcel energy worked on Monday morning to get the worker out of the tree. Neighboring arbor companies were also called to help provide expertise on getting to the victim. They also provided a bucket truck to help out.

The incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. on 6897 South Prince Circle.

Power will be out in the area for an unknown period of time.

Littleton Fire reminded people who are working in their yards or trimming trees to use caution, especially around power lines.


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Mark Mortensen, ISA Certified Arborist RM-1002A



LITTLETON, Colo. — Firefighters and Xcel workers are working together to help recover the body of an arborist who died after being electrocuted in a Littleton tree.

Littleton Fire Rescue officials said they responded to reports of an electrocution at 6897 South Prince Circle just after 10 a.m. Monday morning. They announced at 11 a.m. an arborist who was working in a tree died from contact with an electrical current.

Rescuers said they put out a call for help to find a bucket truck, and soon after, other arborists came to help.

"It looked like he had all the safety gear on, he had a helmet and was tied to the tree appropriately," Jackie Erwin, the Littleton Fire Rescue emergency manager, said.

Officials say they're unsure exactly how he came into contact with the fatal current, but they will conduct an investigation.

Xcel officials say power will be shut off in the surrounding neighborhood during the body recovery and the investigation.

It's not yet known what company the arborist worked for, nor have officials released the victim's identity.

Littleton Fire Rescue officials said they aren't sure if the arborist's crew called Xcel to have power lines shut off.

"While trimming trees, anything that's close to a power line, even digging, if you're digging up your sprinkler system or anything like that, let Xcel know so they can mark where those lines may be or shut off the power if need be so you can do it safely," Erwin said.


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Arborist electrocuted while cutting tree

Man died 30 feet up in ash tree
Posted Monday, June 19, 2017 2:38 pm

David Gilbert

An arborist was electrocuted and killed while trimming a tree in the backyard of a home in southwest Littleton on June 19.

The man was 30 feet up in an ash tree at the bottom of a sloping backyard at 6897 S. Prince Circle at around 10 a.m. when he was electrocuted, according to Littleton Fire Rescue spokesperson Jackie Erwin, adding that a power line ran perpendicular to the tree.

LFR contacted Xcel Energy to cut the power to the area, and called in another tree service company with a bucket truck to retrieve the man's body. The man, whose name has not been released, was deceased when he was pulled from the tree. LFR cleared the scene by about 11:20 a.m. Power was still out to the block at 1:30 p.m.


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Mark Mortensen, ISA Certified Arborist RM-1002A 


Mortensen Tree Service


990 E Cottonwood Ave

Littleton, CO
80121
Phone:
303-734-9320

 

An arborist is a specialist in the care of individual trees. Arborists are knowledgeable about the needs of trees, and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Mark Mortensen is among the best and has worked in the field since 1996.
Pruning or removing trees, especially large trees, can be dangerous work. Tree work should only be done by those trained and equipped to work safely in trees.
Well cared for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability.
Contact us now or call Mark Mortensen directly at Mortensen Tree Service 303-734-9320 to schedule a free evaluation today.
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