By Laura Hayes, Senior Community Reporter
NORTHBOROUGH – A man in his mid-20s was killed after he came into contact with a power line while trimming trees on South Street in Northborough on Wednesday.
According to Northborough Lt. Brian Griffin, a person called 911 at about 9:30 a.m. today who said his friend was trimming trees on a lift when he came into contact with a high power line.
The victim was deceased by the time Northborough officers arrived, Griffin said.
“At this time, it appears to be a tragic accident,” Griffin said.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Northborough police declined to name the victim.
Griffin said the man was working for a landscaping company. Police believe there were three people working with the company at the time of the incident.
“They were hired by two different homeowners who lived across the street from each other,” Griffin said.
Griffin said the police are not sure how the worker came into contact with the line itself. It appears that he was killed immediately, he said.
National Grid turned off power. When Griffin spoke at about 2 p.m., he estimated that power would return in approximately two hours.
Northborough police are working with the Northborough Fire Department, Massachusetts State Police assigned to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early’s office, National Grid and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
South Street from Northgate Road to Longfellow Road was closed for several hours.
The scene on South Street is about a block away from Ellsworth McAfee Park.
“There were a lot of people out walking today on a beautiful day who were unfortunately in the area when this tragic accident happened,” Griffin said. “They were able to provide us with some assistance as to what they saw or heard. Absolutely, what they saw was very tragic.”
