Antonio Pascual Mateo, 24, of Escondido, California, tragically lost his life while attempting 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 the lights over high-voltage power lines.
According to the medical examiner’s report, emergency personnel were dispatched to 2010 Skyline Drive following a call about a man hanging from a tree. It remains unclear who initially contacted 911. Upon arriving at the scene, first responders found Mateo unresponsive and hanging from the tree.
They worked to retrieve him and administered life-saving measures before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead by an emergency room physician. The report stated, “The decedent threw the lights over the power line resulting in electrocution.” The tragic accident underscores the dangers of decorating near high-voltage power lines.
Mateo’s family and friends have since launched a GoFundMe campaign to support funeral expenses and the transportation of his body to Guatemala, where he will be laid to rest. The campaign organizer, Jual Pascal, described Mateo as a beloved brother, son, and uncle.
“He had so much to live for, only 24 years old,” Pascal wrote. “He always took care of his mother and family. Sadly he was electrocuted by the power lines as he was fixing the Christmas lights. He fell down and stayed in the tree, trapped for an hour. Rescue teams had to wait for the power company to turn off the power. Too late to save, forever young he will remain.”
Pascal added that Christmas lights will now hold a profound meaning for the family, serving as a bittersweet reminder of Mateo. “Christmas lights forever have a meaning to us, he will remain in our hearts for eternity.” As of Monday, the GoFundMe campaign had raised $8,400 toward its $20,000 goal.
Mateo’s sudden and tragic death has left the community mourning, with many rallying 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 somber reminder of the risks involved in seemingly routine holiday traditions.