Electrocution Caused Death of Tree Trimmer: Coroner

An Asplundh worker who was killed while trimming trees on Sand Island died accidentally of electrocution, the Northampton County Coroner has determined.

Robert Rogers, 42, of Lock Haven, Clinton County, was in a bucket truck that accidentally made contact with a 12,000-volt PPL power line Saturday morning, according to published reports.

Rogers was part of a crew with Asplundh Tree Expert Co., which was trimming trees along the Lehigh Canal Towpath near the Minsi Trail Bridge when the accident occurred, The Express-Times reported.

PPL regularly contracts Asplundh to perform this service in advance and in preparation for Musikfest, the newspaper said.

Power was knocked out to about 1,000 PPL customers in the Bethlehem area following the accident.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident.