ComEd

Man Electrocuted by Downed Power Lines

Nedal Doleh was found in a backyard on the 8600 block of South Meade Avenue on Tuesday afternoon

A Burbank family claims their relative was electrocuted by downed power lines after being told by utility crews that the area was safe.

Nedal Doleh, 21, was in the 8600 block of South Meade Avenue about 2:07 p.m. when he came in contact with the power lines, according to a statement from the Burbank Police Department.

Doleh, who was visiting family in the suburb southwest of Chicago, was found unresponsive in the backyard when emergency crews arrived, police said. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead at 3:40 p.m. according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

The victim's father, Youssef Doleh, said his son lived a few blocks away and was helping him clean up after the storms.

"He's my best son. Always come and help me, check on me, you know, more than his brothers," Daleh said.

"His mom and the rest of the family, they couldn't believe it until now. They don't believe it's happened, you know, to find him dead and burned down, it's not easy."

"The safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority, particularly in instances of extreme weather," ComEd spokeswoman Elizabeth Keating said in a statement to NBC Chicago. "We are very sorry to learn about this young man’s passing and we are working with local authorities to understand the circumstances around this unfortunate incident."

"I'm mad," Doleh said. "I've been knowing this kid for 21 years and to lose at one time ... is it easy for a father? No it is not."

At the time, ComEd employees were working nearby to repair lines damaged by storms that rolled through the area Monday night, police said. The National Weather Service on Tuesday said eight tornadoes touched down in Illinois and northwest Indiana. during the storms.

Copyright CHIST - SunTimes
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