A 16-year-old teen boy from Davis County was tragically killed Monday night after being electrocuted and falling approximately 60 feet from a Rocky Mountain Power pole in Fruit Heights, Utah, authorities confirmed.
Tragic Accident on Monday Night
The Davis County Sheriff’s Office received an emergency call around 9:15 p.m. reporting a fall near 1800 East and 696 South. Responding deputies found the teenager suffering from severe burns and traumatic injuries from both the electric shock and the fall. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he did not survive his injuries.
Sheriff’s spokeswoman Stephanie Dinsmore said the incident appeared to be an accident involving a group of friends.
“It sounds like a group of teenagers had gone out to take in the views when one of them climbed the tower,” Dinsmore explained. “Sadly, the fall and electrocution proved fatal.”
A Site with a Tragic History
This is not the first deadly accident at the same site. Eighteen years earlier, on October 12, 2007, 15-year-old Scott Nye also died after climbing the same power pole. Dinsmore noted the eerie similarities, saying Tuesday’s tragedy “brought back painful memories for the community.”
When reached for comment, Nye’s mother declined an interview but expressed “love, understanding, and concern” for the latest victim’s family.
Community Mourning and Safety Concerns
Friends of the teen returned to the site Tuesday afternoon, leaving flowers, personal items, and energy drinks in his memory.
“We brought up some flowers and Monsters because he loved them,” said Tristen Hann, a former classmate. “It’s just hard to believe he’s gone.”
One nearby parent questioned why there were no visible warning signs or fencing to deter climbing in such a dangerous area.
We reached out to Rocky Mountain Power for comment. The company said it temporarily shut off power to the pole during the investigation, affecting about 4,000 homes, but referred all safety inquiries back to law enforcement.
Ongoing Investigation
The Davis County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances of the fatal incident. Officials urged the public — particularly teens — to avoid climbing power structures, citing the extreme and often underestimated dangers of high-voltage equipment.
