Antonio Pascual Mateo died tragically of electrocution after reportedly throwing Christmas lights over a high voltage power line Thursday morning in San Diego.
A San Diego Medical Examiner’s report confirmed his death. The fire crews had to wait for the power to be shut off in the area before Mateo could be rescued. Officials said he was hanging upside down in the tree after being electrocuted.
“First unit arrived on scene and found a worker suspended in the air via a waist harness. It appeared that he had come in contact with some high-power tension lines,” the Escondido Battalion Chief said on the scene of the incident, according to Fox 5.
Mateo’s family shared details of the incident in a GoFundMe page that was set up to assist them with funeral costs amid the tragedy.
“He was a brother, a son and a uncle. His name was Antonio Pascual. He had so much to live, only 24 years old. He had been working on putting up Christmas lights around the tree,” his family said.
“It always came out beautiful. He always took care of his mother and family. Sadly he was electrocuted by the power lines, as he was fixing the Christmas lights. He fell down and stayed in the tree, trapped for an hour,” the family wrote on the crowdfunding page.
“Too late to save, forever young he will remain. Christmas lights forever having a meaning to us, he will remain in our hearts for eternity,” the family wrote.(RELATED: Video Shows Concert-Goers Electrocuted By 600 Volts After Sitting On Train Tracks)
Christmas Light Installer Emelio Linares, the owner of SD Light Guys, said installers are discussing this tragic incident worldwide, according to Fox 5.
Around $13,235 of the $20,000 goal has been raised at the time of writing.
