West Deer Twp. Man Dies After Coming Into Contact With Live Power Lines

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WEST DEER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Authorities say a man died after he came into contact with live power lines after a brush fire in West Deer Township Thursday.

According to the Allegheny County Police Department, first responders were sent to the 200 block of McKrell Road around 6:30 p.m. for a report of a brush fire.

Officials say a property owner was walking around his property to assess the damage caused by the fire when he came into contact with live power lines.

"The fire departments were starting to clean up. The property owner was beginning to walk his property to assess the damage to his property," Steve Imbarlina, assistant chief of Allegheny County Emergency Services, said. "At that point, they noticed an arc, and it appears that the property owner came into contact with some live power lines and unfortunately succumbed to his injuries."

The victim has been identified as 56-year-old Terry Colton, of West Deer. The cause of death was determined to be high voltage electrocution.