Linesman electrocuted in cherrypicker

Police are investigating the death of a linesman who was electrocuted in a cherrypicker yesterday.

Chris Petersen, 53, was working on 400-volt lines in New Plymouth, when he was killed about 3.30pm.

A fellow worker tried in vain to revive him by giving him CPR.

Police said Mr Petersen and his co-worker from Tenix Alliance were in the insulated bucket of an elevated platform, replacing transformer boxes on power poles.

The death is being investigated by police, the Department of Labour, Electrical Safety Service and Tenix Alliance.

Mr Petersen was a married man with a family.

- NZPA