GUELPH, Ont. - An investigation is underway after a 29-year-old Elora man was killed while hanging Christmas lights on a tree in Guelph.
The Ministry of Labour is looking into the death because the man was on the job at the time of the accident.
Working for Cutting Edge Property Services, he had been hired to put the lights on a more than 12 metre high tree on Harrison Avenue.
But on Thursday, Guelph Police Sgt. Doug Pflug says "His aluminum pole he was using to string the lights came in contact with a live wire."
The man immediately collapsed at the scene and was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Steve Parisotto has worked for Cutting Edge and says he was the one who was supposed to be on the ladder hanging the lights.
And he is certain the men working were doing a good job, "They did an excellent job, they very well-rounded guys. They know what they're doing."
The family at the home where the man died did not want to speak on camera, but tell CTV News their thoughts are with the family of the man who died.
Those words are echoed by Parisotto, "I can't say the words, I'm sorry. It's just very heartfelt, my heart's out to his family."
Police are also recognizing the difficult situation, especially at this time of year. Pflug says "I know he does have a small family, it's tragic at this time of year."
Meanwhile police want to remind the public to be careful when decorating.
"If you are going up at higher heights please make sure someone is holding the ladder and if you are using poles or that type of stuff, please refrain from doing it anywhere where live wires can be," Pflug adds.
The investigation into the incident could take up to a year and the identity of the man killed has not yet been released.
