Landscaper electrocuted after trimmer hits power lines in Hauppauge

A landscaper was electrocuted and killed Tuesday morning when his tree trimmer touched power lines and knocked him off a 16-foot ladder in a Hauppauge backyard, police said.

Darwin Morales-Martines, 31, of Central Islip was trimming trees behind a home at 2 Richwood Lane about 10:30 a.m. when the cutter he was using made contact with overhead power lines, police said.

The shock sent Morales-Martines falling from the ladder. He was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Richwood Lane is a quiet residential street just south of Townline Road.

OSHA rules require workers without electrical training to stay at least 10 feet away from overhead lines carrying up to 50,000 volts. The rules cover workers and any tools they’re holding.

Police did not release any further details about the incident.

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