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Arborist electrocuted in Littleton tree, power shut off to recover body

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LITTLETON, Colo. — Firefighters and Xcel workers are working together to help recover the body of an arborist who died after being electrocuted in a Littleton tree.

Littleton Fire Rescue officials said they responded to reports of an electrocution at 6897 South Prince Circle just after 10 a.m. Monday morning. They announced at 11 a.m. an arborist who was working in a tree died from contact with an electrical current.

Rescuers said they put out a call for help to find a bucket truck, and soon after, other arborists came to help.

"It looked like he had all the safety gear on, he had a helmet and was tied to the tree appropriately," Jackie Erwin, the Littleton Fire Rescue emergency manager, said.

Officials say they're unsure exactly how he came into contact with the fatal current, but they will conduct an investigation.

Xcel officials say power will be shut off in the surrounding neighborhood during the body recovery and the investigation. 

It's not yet known what company the arborist worked for, nor have officials released the victim's identity. 

Littleton Fire Rescue officials said they aren't sure if the arborist's crew called Xcel to have power lines shut off.

"While trimming trees, anything that's close to a power line, even digging, if you're digging up your sprinkler system or anything like that, let Xcel know so they can mark where those lines may be or shut off the power if need be so you can do it safely," Erwin said. 

Denver7 will update this story with additional information as it becomes available.