Beckham County, OK – A man died Saturday after being accidentally electrocuted while trimming trees near power lines at his home in Beckham County, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning.
Manning said the man was trimming trees away from power lines in his yard when he somehow came into contact with electricity.
Beckham County deputies responded to the scene along with Elk City ambulance crews, who provided emergency medical treatment before rushing the man to the hospital. Manning said he was later told the man died at the hospital.
The sheriff used the incident as a reminder of the dangers associated with working around electricity and power lines.
“We use electricity on a daily basis, but a reminder that it’s dangerous,” Manning said. “Electricity is dangerous.”
Manning said even people with experience working around electrical systems can be injured. He recalled working for an electric company when he was younger and seeing experienced workers encounter dangerous situations.
“It’s dangerous stuff, and it’s unpredictable how those things can happen sometimes,” Manning said.
The electrocution was one of two deaths Beckham County deputies responded to during the past week.
Earlier in the week, deputies responded to a home south of Sayre after a man suffered what Manning described as a medical event in his front yard.
Manning said his captain of patrol began CPR, with the undersheriff arriving shortly afterward to assist. Manning arrived just before ambulance crews, who continued life-saving efforts for an extended period.
The man later died while being transported to the hospital, according to Manning.
Manning said first responders did everything they could in both incidents and extended condolences to the families.
“It’s just a couple of sad situations, and folks out there are doing the best they can, and sometimes you don’t get the outcome you want,” Manning said.
Manning also said he has checked on members of his staff following the incidents because responding to deaths can be emotionally difficult for first responders.
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