Tree trimmer electrocuted while cutting branches near power line in Hudson: Deputies

HUDSON, Fla. - A tree trimmer was electrocuted while cutting branches near a power line in Hudson on Thursday, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies along with the Pasco County Fire Department responded to the death investigation on Maria Drive and Sea Ranch Drive area. They said the man died from an apparent electrocution while trimming trees.

Fire officials said the worker was cutting branches near the power line when the bucket in the truck he was using became energized.

"I was working in the garage and heard all these electrical explosions, like transformers. When they blow up and I look across the street and see big balls of sparks go down and I come out… and the guy is hanging off the side, just hanging off the side from the waist down," said Henry Foytik, a neighbor. "He was dead. They put EKG stuff on him and checked him… but it happened just that fast. Bing, bam, boom, then he hanged over."

Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) cut the power to get to the victim, and firefighters removed him from the non-functioning bucket truck. Power continued to be out in the area Thursday evening, and workers are trying to restore it.

The sheriff's office said no foul play is suspected in this incident. The investigation is ongoing.

SIGN UP: Click here to sign up for the FOX 13 daily newsletter

WATCH FOX 13 NEWS