Duty of Care

On Wednesday night, September 30, 2026, just after 9 p.m., Hermosa Beach police responded to a call of a medical emergency at Bayview Drive and 2nd Street in Hermosa Beach, California. Sgt. Keaton Dadigan of the Hermosa Beach Police Department told Manhattan Beach Patch that officers and paramedics were dispatched at about 9:25 p.m. to the 200 block of Bayview Drive, near 2nd Street.

An electrical lineman was found unconscious on the ground below a power pole. Officers and responding paramedics tried to revive him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Dadigan said, "Despite life-saving efforts, paramedics ultimately pronounced the worker deceased at the scene."

Southern California Edison said he was a contractor with City Light & Power working on an SCE project. An SCE spokesperson said, "We're heartbroken that a contractor with City Light & Power lost their life while on the job. Our thoughts are with their family and coworkers."

As of early October reporting, the worker had not been publicly identified. Authorities have not determined whether this was a fall, electrocution, or a medical emergency. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is investigating. Neighbors told ABC7 that their power was out as crews upgraded utility poles in the area.

For utility crews, pole work can involve fall exposure and electrical exposure at the same time. Nothing released so far identifies which of those, or a medical emergency, led to this death. Brief the job before the climb, use the fall protection the task requires, maintain minimum approach distance and cover-up, and stop work if clearance or conditions are not confirmed.

• ABC7 Los Angeles
• Manhattan Beach Patch