24-year-old man dies while hanging Christmas lights at California home

(KTLA) -- A 24-year-old man died by electrocution while installing Christmas lights on the roof of a home in Southern California, officials said.

The accident happened on Thursday, Nov. 21, in Escondido, a suburb of San Diego.

According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner, Antonio Pascual Mateo was hanging Christmas lights near a high-voltage power line.

“The decedent threw the lights over the power line resulting in electrocution,” the medical examiner said.

Someone called 911, and paramedics arrived at the home to find Mateo hanging upside down from a tree. He was transported to Palomar Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

A GoFundMe to help Mateo’s family had raised more than $8,200 as of Monday afternoon.

“He had so much to live for,” wrote the GoFundMe organizer, Jual Pascal. “He always took care of his mother and family .... Forever young he will remain. Christmas lights will forever have a meaning to us. He will remain in our hearts for eternity.”

Pascal said the money raised would help the family pay for Mateo’s transport and burial in his native Guatemala.