The 31-year-old Reading man was working in the rear of a private residence in the 4000 block of Grant Street in Exeter Township when the fatal incident happened around 10:54 a.m., according to Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel.
The victim was employed by a local tree service company and was operating a bucket truck while trimming a hedgerow, the coroner’s office said. During the job, the equipment reportedly came into contact with an electrical power line.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene and launched an investigation. The Berks County Coroner’s Office was notified and arrived at 11:33 a.m.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified and sent an investigator from Harrisburg to Exeter Township as part of an ongoing workplace safety investigation, according to the release.
The coroner’s office was assisted by Exeter Township Police Department, Exeter Fire Company, Penn State Health EMS, and Met-Ed Electric Company.
An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday at Reading Hospital. The cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
Details about the man’s life were not immediately available. His loved ones are invited to share information with Daily Voice by emailing [email protected].
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