A 27‑year‑old tree‑trimming worker died on August 26, 2026 after being electrocuted when he touched a low‑voltage Hydro‑Québec power line during his duties in Montreal.
Emergency services were summoned to the site shortly after the incident was reported. Paramedics attended the scene and confirmed that the electrical contact was fatal, and the worker was pronounced dead.
The accident occurred while the employee was engaged in routine vegetation management, a task that frequently requires proximity to overhead utilities. Low‑voltage lines, though carrying less current than high‑voltage transmission circuits, can still deliver a lethal charge if proper clearance is not maintained.
Hydro‑Québec, the province’s primary electricity provider, operates an extensive network of distribution lines throughout Montreal. The utility’s safety guidelines advise that any work near live conductors be performed only after de‑energizing the circuit or using insulated equipment, procedures that are standard in the industry.
Following the fatality, Hydro‑Québec announced that it would cooperate with municipal authorities to review the circumstances of the event. An investigation is expected to examine whether standard safety protocols were observed and to determine if any additional measures are needed to protect workers who perform tree‑trimming and other maintenance tasks near electrical infrastructure.
Incidents of electrocution in the course of vegetation management are relatively rare but have prompted ongoing safety campaigns across the province. Workers are routinely trained to identify live wires, use protective gear, and maintain a safe distance from energized equipment to reduce the risk of similar tragedies.
The death of the 27‑year‑old worker adds to the list of occupational hazards faced by utility and municipal crews in urban environments. It serves as a reminder of the critical importance of strict adherence to electrical safety procedures when performing routine maintenance in areas where power lines are present.