One dead, one critical after hitting power lines in Addison

One man died and a second was seriously injured Tuesday morning after making contact with ComEd power lines while cutting limbs from a tree near Villa and Myrick avenues in Addison.

Killed in the accident was Jose Fulgencio-Hueramo, 51, of Melrose Park.

Authorities said Fulgencio-Hueramo was knocked off a ladder and fell to the ground. He was in cardiac arrest when authorities arrived.

He was taken to the emergency room at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights where he was pronounced dead at 11:48 a.m., the DuPage County coroner's office said.

An examination to officially determine the cause of his death is scheduled for Wednesday.

The second man, who authorities have not yet publicly identified, was airlifted to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.

Addison firefighters and police were called to the scene at 11:01 a.m. They said the men were trimming a backyard tree when they came in contact with the power line.

Fulgencio-Hueramo was thrown off a ladder and fell to the ground, Deputy Fire Chief Scott Walker said.

The second man was still in the tree when firefighters arrived. Rescue teams had to wait to remove him until ComEd crews were able to turn off the power.

That man was listed in critical condition.

Authorities said it appears neither of the men was working for a professional tree service.

ComEd launched a public awareness campaign - called One Line You Should Never Cross - last summer to warn customers about the danger of working near overhead power lines. As part of that campaign, ComEd offered the following tips:

• Keep ladders and other tools at least 10 feet from overhead power lines.

• Do not climb or trim trees near power lines.

• Never approach a downed power line. Always assume a power line is energized and extremely dangerous.

• If you encounter a downed power line, immediately call ComEd at 1-800-334-7661.