Tree trimmer sent to hospital after hitting power lines on Sanibel

A tree trimmer was shocked by power lines Wednesday morning on Sanibel.

The Sanibel Fire & Rescue District said the incident occurred near West Gulf Drive and Tarpon Bay Road at approximately 11:12 a.m.

The fire district said the man was alive when he was picked up but he had serious injuries. The worker was airlifted to a hospital. The worker’s condition is unknown at this time.

Neighbors nearby said they knew something was up when their power went out. According to neighbors, a crew was trimming palm trees in the area.

“The power just cut out right away and there’s no storm going on so I thought something might have happened. Went outside on the little lanai and heard the ambulance is coming in and I knew that they were cutting the palm trees today so I thought somebody might have accidentally clipped a power line,” said Katie Butler, a neighbor. “I feel awful. I hope he’s OK.”

A man who was at the pool with family said he heard a bang, looked up and saw the tree trimmer stiffen up and fall off a ladder.

Jon Horn was at the beach with his son, but he heard the shock.

“We heard a bang,” Horn said. “It’s just unfortunate. It’s sad. Hopefully, the guy is OK and everything’s good with him.”

The Sanibel Fire & Rescue District wants to remind the public to be careful trimming trees near power lines in preparation for hurricane season.

“We are aware that it is going to be an active hurricane season so there’s probably some more preparation going on so we just want to make sure the community is safe when they are preparing and avoiding power lines or using proper precautions before going near them,” said Samantha Quinn, a public information officer with the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District.

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