NAPLES, Fla. -- Police say a Naples man died Saturday while trimming trees in a bucket truck.
It happened near the Hampton Inn on Tamiami Trail North in Naples.
According to Naples Police, officers arrived just before 9 a.m. to find the victim unresponsive in a boom lift about 35 feet above the ground. There were sparks and smoke coming from power lines in the trees near the top of the boom lift, and a running chain-saw in the trees nearby.
Members of the fire department managed to safely lower the boom. EMS found a pulse on the victim and CPR was started. They report his left hand was burnt and split open.
The victim, identified as 38-year-old Walter Ward, was taken to NCH, where he was pronounced dead.
FPL arrived to cut power to the lines and clear the remaining tree branches.
Investigators took the boom and equipment into evidence and spoke to witnesses. the investigation is ongoing.
