A 22-year-old worker suffered a shocking turn of events Wednesday while hanging Christmas lights in Wellesley, narrowly escaping the holiday season with one less electric ornament in his life—a power line, that is.

The incident, which unfolded around 10 a.m., transformed an ordinary holiday decorating job into a shocking near-death experience when the young man from NZ Power Wash came too close to a power line with his 34-foot pole. After receiving an electric shock that left him unconscious and briefly without a pulse, first responders sprang into action with CPR and an AED, reminding everyone that while holiday cheer can be electrifying, safety should still come first—unless, of course, you’re looking for a truly shocking holiday tale.

The scene quickly escalated from a typical wreath-hanging scenario to a medical emergency worthy of the elaborate plot twists often reserved for soap operas. Witnesses reported that the victim suddenly collapsed after coming too close to the line, leading to a chain reaction that included unconsciousness, a seizure, and the troubling absence of breathing. Not your average holiday mishap, unless you consider running out of tinsel to be catastrophic.

Fortunately, a vigilant coworker—presumably the kind of person who reads manuals before assembling furniture—immediately dialed 911. Following the dispatcher’s calm instructions, this heroic figure began CPR, proving once again that the holiday season is about giving, even if it includes the gift of life. One can only imagine the awkwardness of the holiday party conversation that must have followed, right after someone asks what that big red button does.

When local law enforcement arrived, they brought with them an automated external defibrillator (AED)—the unsung hero of emergencies with a name that sounds like it belongs in a sci-fi movie. After several attempts, they successfully revived the young man, leading to speculation about whether they were employing the 'Apply Shock' method or simply doing their best impressions of holiday light displays themselves with all the beeping and flashing.

Once stabilized, the victim was initially taken to Newton Wellesley Hospital and later transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital, which meant his holiday season was about to have a more clinical feel than he might have anticipated—much like receiving a fruitcake in lieu of a gift card, but, you know, with fewer calories and more electrodes.

In the aftermath of the incident, Wellesley Police, Fire, and the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant took the opportunity to express their thoughts and prayers for the victim and his family. Their statements underscored an important reminder—nothing says the season of goodwill quite like electric shocks reminding us of the real dangers at play, especially when holiday lights are involved.

As expected, OSHA is now investigating the details surrounding the incident. One can only hope their findings will be properly wrapped and delivered by the end of the month, perhaps with a ribbon of recommendations on safe decorating practices attached. The idea that decorating could lead to riskier behavior still has many people perplexed, as they come to terms with the idea that stringing lights could involve stringing out hospital visits instead.

At the end of the day, this unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder that holiday cheer and electrical engineering don’t always mix as seamlessly as one might hope. While many are preparing to cozy up in their homes with festive lights aglow, it seems some might want to consider investing in a tall ladder…and perhaps more extensive safety training. After all, nothing quite says 'Merry Christmas' like living to tell the tale of how you almost became the decoration that got too much attention from the wires above.