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Calif. tree trimmer shocked, trapped in tree after contacting power lines

A Los Angeles tree trimmer was rescued after being shocked and stranded in a tree when his pole got tangled in power lines

By Don Sweeney
Merced Sun-Star

LOS ANGELES — A man trimming trees in Los Angeles required rescue after his pole became entangled in high-voltage power lines, California firefighters reported.

Firefighters responded to the emergency in the Westwood neighborhood at about 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in an alert.

The trimmer, who had been shocked by contact with the power lines, was alert but snagged in his safety gear high in the tree, firefighters said.

His trimming pole was still entangled in the power lines, firefighters said.

After de-energizing the lines, firefighters rescued the 40-year-old man from 25 feet up in the tree with a ladder just before noon, rescuers said.

He was checked and taken to a hospital, firefighters said. No information on his medical condition was available.

Westwood is about a 15-mile drive west from downtown Los Angeles .

© 2025 the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.).
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