Man Dies After Touching Downed Power Line

The 55-year-old man apparently got out of his truck and attempted to move the power line out of the road in San Mateo.

A man was killed after he attempted to move a downed power line in San Mateo on Friday night, a PG&E spokesman said.

The man, identified by the Santa Clara County Coroner as 55-year-old Enrique Tello, came across the downed line Friday night around 6:30 p.m. at 1658 S. Norfolk St. near Kehoe, according to Pacific Gas and Electric.

Tello, who was driving by in a pickup truck, apparently got out and attempted to move the power line out of the road, suffering major injuries in the process, PG&E spokesman J.D. Guidi said.

He was transported to Stanford Medical Center where he died later Friday night, Guidi said.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the victim and his family," Guidi said.

The downed line caused 3,300 PG&E customers in San Mateo to lose power Friday night, including parts of downtown San Mateo.

By 9:33 p.m., power had been restored to all but 73 of those customers. Remaining customers had their power returned by about 11 a.m. Saturday, according to San Mateo police.

Residents who encounter a downed power line should treat them as if they are live or energized and stay away from them, according to police. Call 911, then call PG&E at 1 (800) 743-5002.

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