Tree Surgeon Electrocuted by Power Line; Firm Fined £60,000

Key facts

• Joshua Pocknell, 26, was electrocuted on April 19, 2024, on the A3102 near Royal Wootton Bassett.
• He was pushing a mobile lighting tower that contacted an overhead power line shortly after midnight.
• Pocknell suffered burns to his arm and hip, requiring treatment from five or six surgeons.
• He spent five weeks in hospital and may never return to work as a tree surgeon.
• Upton Specialised Tree Services Ltd was fined £60,000 plus £6,237 in costs on May 1, 2024.
• The company admitted health and safety breaches after an HSE investigation.
• CCTV footage captured the moment of the electric shock; Pocknell said he 'couldn't let go' of the tower.

A Routine Job Turns Catastrophic

Just after midnight on April 19, 2024, Joshua Pocknell was trimming hedges beside the A3102 near Royal Wootton Bassett when a routine task became a life-threatening emergency. The 26-year-old tree surgeon was maneuvering a mobile lighting tower to illuminate the worksite when the equipment struck an overhead power line. CCTV footage later shown in court captured the moment of electrocution. Pocknell recalled feeling his body lock up, a sensation of intense heat and cramping, and hearing the electricity in his head. He thought he was going to die. He collapsed, still cramping, and was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The incident left a hole burned through his arm and hip down to the bone, requiring the involvement of five or six surgeons over weeks of treatment.

The Company's Safety Failures

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that Upton Specialised Tree Services Ltd had obtained a permit to work at night to accommodate traffic flow on the A3102. However, the company failed to ensure the safety of its equipment and procedures around overhead power lines. On Friday, May 1, at Bristol Magistrates’ Court, the company pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches. The court imposed a fine of £60,000 and ordered the firm to pay £6,237 in costs. The HSE's findings underscored that the incident was preventable. The employer had not adequately assessed the risks of using a mobile lighting tower near live cables, nor provided sufficient training or safeguards.

A Life Altered Forever

Pocknell spent five weeks in hospital recovering from his injuries, which included complex burns and nerve damage. He continues to experience considerable pain, strange bodily sensations, nerve pain, and itching. In a statement, he described the incident as having 'torn the life from beneath me.' He said he does not believe he will be able to return to the job he once loved. The physical and psychological toll has been immense. The tree surgeon, who was carrying out what he thought was standard maintenance, now faces an uncertain future, unable to pursue his profession.

The Evidence and the Aftermath

The court heard that the accident occurred shortly after midnight, a time chosen to minimize disruption to traffic. CCTV footage provided clear evidence of the sequence of events: Pocknell pushing the lighting tower, the contact with the power line, and the immediate electric shock. Pocknell recounted that his whole body locked, and he felt hot and cramping. He could hear the electricity in his head before losing consciousness. The burns were so severe that they penetrated to the bone. The HSE investigation focused on the company's failure to secure a safe system of work. The permit to work at night did not mitigate the risk of electrocution from overhead cables.

Wider Implications for Workplace Safety

This case highlights the dangers faced by workers in proximity to overhead power lines, a hazard that is often underestimated. The HSE has long emphasized the need for rigorous risk assessments and control measures when operating equipment near live cables. Upton Specialised Tree Services Ltd's admission of health and safety breaches serves as a reminder that employers must prioritize worker safety over operational convenience. The fine and costs, while substantial, cannot undo the harm done to Pocknell. The incident has also sparked discussions about nighttime work permits and whether traffic considerations should ever override safety protocols. For now, the focus remains on Pocknell's recovery and the company's accountability.

What Comes Next

Pocknell continues to undergo treatment and rehabilitation, but his prospects for returning to tree surgery are bleak. He faces ongoing medical challenges and a changed life. The HSE may use this case to reinforce guidance on working near power lines, potentially leading to stricter enforcement or updated regulations. For Upton Specialised Tree Services, the financial penalty and reputational damage are significant. This tragedy underscores that a momentary lapse in safety can have irreversible consequences. The court's decision has closed one chapter, but for Joshua Pocknell, the story is far from over.

The bottom line

• Joshua Pocknell suffered life-threatening electrocution when a lighting tower hit an overhead power line.
• Upton Specialised Tree Services Ltd was fined £60,000 for health and safety breaches.
• The company had obtained a nighttime work permit to avoid traffic disruption but failed to ensure safe operation near power lines.
• CCTV evidence and Pocknell's testimony detailed the horrific sequence of the accident.
• Pocknell may never return to his job as a tree surgeon due to complex injuries.
• The case underscores the critical need for rigorous risk assessments when working near live cables.