Tustin man, 28, electrocuted in tree while taking pictures of sunset
The Orange County coroner identified the victim as David Strohm Jr.
CALIFORNIA RESIDENT DIED AFTER SNAPPING PICS IN FAMILY'S TREE
Orange County Fire Authority Steve Concialdi, left, and Chaplain Jeff Hetschel console the stepfather and a family friend of a man who was found electrocuted in a tree in the 15600 block of South California Street in Tustin. According to Concialdi, the man was in the tree the night before taking photos of the sunset with a cellphone. Southern California Edison officials shut down power to allo
TUSTIN – A 28-year-old man was electrocuted after climbing a tree to take a picture of Saturday's sunset with his cellphone, authorities said.
The Orange County coroner identified the victim as David Strohm Jr.
An autopsy will be scheduled to determine the cause of death.
Family members at the home in the 15600 block of South California Street spotted Strohm's cellphone on the grass beneath the tree about 8:40 a.m. Sunday after spending hours looking for him, said Capt. Steve Concialdi, spokesman for the Orange County Fire Authority.
Relatives saw Strohm's body perched at the top of the tree, resting against a power line, Concialdi said. About 20 homes in the area lost power as Southern California Edison officials shut down power to allow firefighters to safely remove the man's body.
Strohm lived at the home with his mother and stepfather; his father also was at the scene Sunday morning, Concialdi said.
OCFA Chaplain Jeff Hetschel comforted family members and a man described as the victim's best friend as investigators and Edison officials examined the scene. Firefighters used rope to secure the man's body to a ladder from the firetruck and hoisted it from the tree.
Lauren Bartlett, a spokeswoman for Edison, said the company is investigating the incident and cooperating with authorities.
Concialdi said the tree's canopy is thick enough that Strohm sometimes would climb up there to sit or stand. He didn't know how the man came into contact with the power lines, but emphasized the dangers of going near them.
“Our message is: Stay away,” Concialdi said. “Electricity is so dangerous.”
A neighbor said he's known the family for years and described Strohm as “just a nice kid” who helped neighbors and his family.
Investigators said Strohm posted a photo of the sunset to his Facebook page about 6 p.m. Saturday.
Source: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/tree-601045-firefighters-tustin.html
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