Man dies after his ladder falls on live power line

Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to an incident Sunday at 18511 Docs Lane in Alva.

When deputies arrived, they confirmed a man working on a ladder was seriously hurt when it fell against a power line. He fell off the ladder and CPR was performed.

The man was identified as Daniel Cruz-Gomez. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Cruz-Gomez was employed with Southern Gardens Citrus.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office says the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been alerted about the incident that caused Gomez’s death. But many still have lingering questions.

The farm where Gomez worked is an independent grower for the U.S. Sugar Corporation. A representative from the company declined an interview but said it was a “sad situation.”

But many neighbors in Alva are left wondering, what happened inside the small farm early Sunday morning?

“It’s pretty quiet. I mean, no one really ever comes in and out. Just the same vehicles all the time…so never notice anything shady or anything out of the ordinary, so it’s just the normal traffic in and out,” said neighbor Tammy Traurig.

The U.S. Sugar Corporation said in a statement:

“This was a tragic accident that occurred in one of our independent grower’s groves, and our deepest sympathies go out to the family. As is standard procedure, the accident is under investigation, and we don’t have further details at this time.”

The investigation is ongoing.