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Tree surgeon's near-fatal shock: "I thought I would die"
2 May
Summary
- Tree surgeon suffered severe electric shock from 11,000-volt line.
- He spent five weeks in hospital and still experiences pain.
- Employer fined £60,000 for failing to assess risks.
A 26-year-old tree surgeon described his terrifying experience of receiving a severe electric shock from an 11,000-volt overhead line. Joshua Pocknell was pushing a lighting tower when it contacted the live wire, causing him to lose consciousness. He spent five weeks in the hospital recovering from complex injuries that continue to cause him pain more than two years later.
The Health and Safety Executive investigated the January 19, 2024 incident, finding that the employer, Upton Specialised Tree Services, had not adequately planned for or assessed the risks associated with overhead power lines. The company also failed to provide barriers or necessary training for operating the equipment.
Upton Specialised Tree Services pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations and was subsequently fined £60,000, with an additional £6,237 in costs. HSE inspector Tom Preston emphasized that while overhead power lines pose extreme risks, they are manageable with proper safety protocols, including risk assessments, barriers, and training, stressing that this incident was avoidable.
