A 24-year-old man, Antonio Pascual Mateo was electrocuted while decorating his home with Christmas lights near a high-voltage power line in San Diego, California, United States.
The accident took place on Thursday, November 21, as Mateo was setting up festive lights on the roof.
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, Mateo was discovered hanging upside down from a tree after the tragic event.
“The decedent was hanging Christmas lights on the roof while near a high voltage powerline. The decedent threw the lights over the powerline resulting in electrocution. 9-1-1 was activated. Paramedics arrived on scene to find the decedent hanging upside down from a tree,” the statement said.
The paramedics attempted to resuscitate Mateo with advanced cardiovascular life support before transporting him to a local hospital.
“Despite aggressive resuscitative efforts, death was pronounced by the emergency department physician,” the statement added.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist Mateo’s family with funeral expenses.
The fundraiser also aims to help transport his body to Guatemala, where his mother lives.
The GoFundMe organizer, Juan Pascual, wrote, “He fell down and stayed in the tree, trapped for an hour. Rescue team was forced to wait until the power company had to turn off power. Too late to save, forever young he will remain.”
The page added a heartfelt tribute: “Christmas lights forever having a meaning to us, he will remain in our hearts for eternity.”
The fundraiser also honoured Mateo, describing him as “a brother, a son, and an uncle. His name was Antonio Pascual. He had so much to live, only 24 years old.” As of Tuesday morning, the campaign had raised nearly $10,000.
