Coroner IDs Man Electrocuted While Trimming Trees

WAUCONDA, IL — A 67-year-old man who was electrocuted while trimming trees near overhead power lines in unincorporated Wauconda has been identified as Edward Topel, according to the Lake County Coroner's Office.

Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff's Office and first responders were called to the area of Bonner Road and Jackson Avenue at about 4 p.m. Saturday for a report of downed wires and an unresponsive person, according to a coroner's office news release.

Authorities said crews arrived and found Topel on a ladder in the yard of a home in the 28500 block of North Jackson Avenue. A preliminary investigation shows Topel was trimming trees near overhead power lines when he was electrocuted, officials said.

ComEd crews de-energized the wires so emergency personnel could remove him from the ladder. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a news release.

An autopsy conducted Tuesday found Topel died from thermal and electrical injuries sustained in the incident, according to preliminary findings from the coroner’s office.

The investigation remains ongoing.