Metuchen Man Was JCPL Worker Electrocuted In Freehold

FREEHOLD, NJ — The Jersey Central Power & Light employee who was tragically killed Tuesday in an accident in Freehold was from Metuchen, Freehold police said. As Patch reported, Andrew Powers, 56, of Metuchen was working on a transformer on Kings Mountain Road in Freehold just after 10 a.m. Tuesday when he lost his balance.

As he was falling, he put out his hands to break his fall and he came into contact with live electrical wires. Powers was electrocuted, but he was able to walk, talk and describe exactly what had happened to fellow JCP&L employees working nearby who rushed to help him, reported the Asbury Park Press. He initially even refused medical attention.

In fact, when Freehold police officer Richard Gregg arrived at the scene, he found Powers with burned hands and cut arms but standing and talking with his coworkers, the APP reported.

However, without warning, Powers then suddenly collapsed.

"Several minutes into it, as they're examining him and talking, he suffered a medical episode, collapsed and was unresponsive," Freehold police Lt. Raymond Piccolini told the APP.

Officer Gregg began CPR and also applied AED pads to try and get his heart pumping again. With CPR in progress the whole time, Powers was rushed to CentraState Medical Center, but was ultimately pronounced dead at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

A JCP&L investigation into exactly what happened is now underway, said JCP&L spokesman Ron Morano. "This is something very tragic," he said, "and our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers."

Past photo provided by JCP&L of employees checking power lines in Monmouth County.