Ogdensburg man survives 19,000-volt shock in Greene County tree-felling accident | St. Lawrence County News

Measheaw, a Larch Tree Service employee, was working at a construction site on North Lake Road in the town of Hunter on May 23 when the incident occurred.

Greene County Sheriff Pete Kusminsky said Measheaw sharpened his chainsaw on a chipper trailer attached to a boom truck.

“The boom operator got too close to the power lines and energized the boom. The electricity flowed through the boom, through the truck, through the trailer and unfortunately into the victim and finally through his foot to the ground. That’s 19,000.9 volts,” Kusminsky explained in the press conference. “When they arrived, they found a male victim lying unconscious and unresponsive on the side of the road. After determining no breathing or pulse, they immediately began CPR.”

DEC Forest Ranger Seamus Peterson was one of the first responders on duty in Measheaw.

“My only thought is to do everything in my power to resuscitate this person,” said the forester. “I think his body responded positively after we started CPR and the AED gave him two shocks. When I saw that, I was very relieved.”

After his heart started working again, he was flown to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla for treatment.

“Without the intervention of deputies and DEC personnel, the victim likely would not have survived this incident,” the sheriff said.

During the press conference, Measheaw, wearing a walking boot for his injured foot, spoke about the event.

“We are specifically trimming the trees that are on the power lines. We have to cut them back three meters,” he said. “When I woke up, I told my mother I knew I had died before anyone told me I had died.”

He owes his survival today to the first responders.

“It was good that they were here, otherwise I would not be speaking here today,” Measheaw explained. “I have often heard that I am very lucky to be here.”

“The fact that he was walking around with 20,000 volts flowing through his body was unbelievable,” the forester explained.

Gary Measheaw, 24, of Ogdensburg, is pictured speaking with Greene County Sheriff’s Department deputies and DEC foresters at a press conference on June 7. He thanked first responders for saving his life on May 23 after he suffered shock in a tree-felling accident while working for Larch Tree Service. Photo provided by the state Department of Environmental Conservation