Tree trimmer on lift electrocuted by power lines, South Carolina officials say

A tree trimmer was electrocuted by power lines while on a lift apparatus, according to South Carolina officials.

The tree trimmer was working at around 5 p.m. on March 6 on James Island, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. He was unresponsive when paramedics arrived and was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was with a private tree trimming contractor, according to a spokesperson for Dominion Energy. The contractor is not affiliated with Dominion Energy, an energy utility company serving 16 states, the spokesperson said.

The Charleston County coroner later identified him as 32-year-old Christopher Bradshaw. He died of “accidental electrocution,” the coroner’s office said.

An online obituary said Bradshaw was the owner of Grindstone Landworks, a tree-services and landscaping company in Charleston.

He was a member of a lodge of the Ancient Free Masons and an “avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan,” the obituary says. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors, fishing and turkey hunting.

He had a son who “was his world,” the obituary says.

Friends and family members commented on the obituary that he was loved and would be missed.

“Such a sweet, funny, beautiful soul gone way too soon,” wrote Kasey Johnson. “I cherish the memories that I have with you.”

“My heart breaks for his little son,” wrote Kevin Patti, who said he was Bradshaw’s coach in the Free Masons lodge. “I know he was the light of his life and we had many conversations about fatherhood. “

This story was originally published March 8, 2023 at 11:33 AM with the headline "Tree trimmer on lift electrocuted by power lines, South Carolina officials say."