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One dead, two injured after making contact with power lines in Draper

Posted at 11:10 AM, Aug 28, 2015
and last updated 2015-08-28 22:41:25-04

DRAPER, Utah -- One person has died and two others are in critical condition after making contact with power lines while working on the roof of a Draper business Friday morning.

It happened shortly before 11 a.m. at Bailie's Gymnastics, 88 W 13100 S. A representative for the Unified Fire Authority said one of survivors was in cardiac arrest when emergency responders arrived. Emergency responders performed CPR on that victim and were able to get a pulse before he was taken to a hospital by helicopter.

The other survivor was transported to a hospital by ambulance and the third victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Aaron Garn and family. Image courtesy 'Aaron Garn Funeral' via GoFundMe.com

Aaron Garn and family. Image courtesy 'Aaron Garn Funeral' via GoFundMe.com

The deceased is identified as Aaron Garn. Family members have created a Go Fund Me page to raise funds for the family's funeral and other expenses, click here for details.

Officials said workers were using an aluminum ladder that touched power lines. Rocky Mountain Power has de-energized the power lines as Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials conduct an investigation.

“It's devastating for families and people," said David Ulibarri, a Unified Fire Authority spokesman. "It's part of the job. It's just one of these days you don't wish for. We're glad with our training we were able to revive one person and hopefully it works out for the best."

Investigators aren’t sure if the men were on the ladder when it hit the power lines.

“We're still trying to put the pieces together on who was where and what happened to the ladder,” Ulibarri said.

Because this is a workplace injury, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

A tweet from the business sent Friday morning said the building is undergoing upgrades on its heating and air conditioning systems.