Antonio Pascual Mateo, 24, of Escondido, California, tragically lost his life while trying to install Christmas lights on the roof of his home last Thursday. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that Mateo was electrocuted when he accidentally threw lights onto high-voltage power lines.
According to the medical examiner reportEmergency personnel were dispatched to 2010 Skyline Drive following a call about a man hanging from a tree. It is unclear who initially contacted 911. Upon arriving at the scene, first responders found Mateo unconscious and hanging from the tree.
They worked to recover him and administered life-saving measures before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where an emergency room doctor pronounced him dead. The report stated“The deceased threw the lights onto the power line and caused an electrocution.” The tragic accident highlights the dangers of decorating near high-voltage power lines.
Since then, Mateo’s family and friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and the transportation of his body to Guatemala, where he will be buried. Campaign organizer Jual Pascal described Mateo as a beloved brother, son and uncle.
“I had a lot to live for, I was only 24 years old,” Pascal wrote. “He always took care of his mother and his family. Unfortunately, he was electrocuted by power lines while fixing the Christmas lights. He fell and remained trapped in the tree for an hour. Rescuers had to wait for the power company to cut off the power. Too late to save him, he will always be young.”
Pascal added that the Christmas lights will now have deep meaning for the family and will serve as a bittersweet reminder of Mateo. “Christmas lights always have meaning for us, he will remain in our hearts for eternity.” Starting Monday, the GoFundMe campaign had raised $8,400 toward its goal of $20,000.
Mateo’s sudden and tragic death has left the community in mourning, and many have rallied around his family during this difficult time. This heartbreaking incident highlights the need for extreme caution when decorating near power lines and serves as a grim reminder of the risks involved in seemingly routine Christmas traditions.