BERNE, N.Y. (AP) — A man working on a utility pole was electrocuted early Friday when low-hanging wires made contact with the basket of his truck, according to police.
The cable company worker was doing routine maintenance in rural Berne, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of Albany, at around 2:30 a.m. when the wires touched the basket of the Spectrum truck, electrocuting the man and causing the truck to explode and catch fire, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple told the Times-Union of Albany.
The unidentified 56-year-old man, who was working alone, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A spokesperson for Charter Communications, Spectrum’s parent company, said it was “a devastating loss.”
“This was a tragic accident with an employee who had been with us for more than 25 years,” spokesperson Lara Pritchard said in an email. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and coworkers who worked with him every day.”
Workers will often perform equipment maintenance and upgrades overnight to prevent service interruptions during high-usage hours.
Karlie Kloss exudes confidence in a bold red midaxi dress as she attends star
Celebrity birthdays for the week of April 21
Karen Millen reveals she 'misses the cleaner' she had before going bankrupt
Tourism featuring ASEAN cultures heats up in border region
Ashanti and Nelly's relationship timeline: A look at the couple's on
AP PHOTOS: Paris Olympics venues mix history and modernity and showcase cultural heritage
China's kite festival draws enthusiasts from home and abroad
Teixeira brace sees Shanghai go top in CSL
US sanctions fundraisers for extremist West Bank settlers who commit violence against Palestinians
Games, literature see online growth
Previewing the 1st round of the NBA playoffs, which start on Saturday
Characters enter the public domain. Winnie the Pooh becomes a killer. Where is remix culture going?