Pittsburgh-Area Man Fatally Electrocuted

PITTSBURGH, PA — A man died Friday morning after being electrocuted in Fayette County.

County Corner Dr. Bob Baker said its office was called at 7:12 a.m. to an address on Laurel Hill for reports of a fatality. The address corresponds with the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, according to online sites.

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Aaron Cottrell, 32, of New Salem, Westmoreland County, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The coroner’s office says Cottrell was not on the property “in an employment capacity by the church or any commercial business.”

Pennsylvania State Police said its investigation revealed that Cottrell was found with a pole saw ans a backpack. It appeared he had been attempting to obtain wire from active electrical lines when he died.

State police are reminding people that tampering with or attempting to remove wire from active infrastructure is extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury or death.

High voltage electrical lines can always remain energized and should never be approached or handled by unauthorized individuals, police said.