Kansas City Tree Worker Critically Injured in Bucket Near Live Power Lines
Critical for any crew running bucket trucks near utility lines
Summary
On May 10, 2026, emergency crews responded to Butron Road and Custer Avenue in Kansas City, MO after a tree worker was found unconscious in a lift bucket about 50 feet up, near active power lines. Rescue was delayed until Evergy could cut power to the area. The worker was triaged in critical condition. The cause of the incident is under review.
TSN Take
Bucket work near energized lines is one of the highest-risk jobs in the trade, and this incident shows why. When a worker goes down up high near live wires, rescue gets stalled until the utility shuts power off — that delay can be the difference between a save and a fatality. If your crew isn't qualified line-clearance certified, you shouldn't be working inside the minimum approach distance, period. Brief every job with an aerial rescue plan and confirm who calls the utility if things go wrong.
Why It Matters
Electrical contact and aerial rescue delays remain top killers in tree work. Every crew running a bucket near utilities needs current ANSI Z133 training, MAD awareness, and a written rescue plan before the boom goes up.
Read the full story at Local Accident Reports
Read Source ↗Operator Question
Does your crew have a written aerial rescue plan before the bucket goes up near power lines?