FRESNO, CALIFORNIA: Madeline Kelly, a California woman, and her dog lost their lives in a bizarre accident on Wednesday morning when they came in contact with a live powerline that had fallen on the ground.
The tragic incident occurred around 5 am in Mendota, a city located 30 miles west of Fresno.
How did Madeline Kelly and her dog die?
According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Kelly, and her dog did not notice the powerline in the dark and walked into it, resulting in their electrocution.
Kelly’s boyfriend discovered their bodies when he went looking for them, as reported by KMPH. The powerline was believed to have been damaged by a vegetation fire that happened two days earlier in the area.
The fire had weakened the power pole and caused the wires to drop, as stated by the police.
EMS and firefighters attempted life-saving measures, but the woman and dog were both pronounced dead at the scene.
What did the utility company say about the incident?
However, PG&E, the utility company that owns the powerline, was not aware of the fire because it did not affect the powerline at that time, a spokesperson told the publication.
PG&E expressed its condolences and said it was working with the first responders to investigate the tragic accident. “We are working with first responders to investigate the circumstances of the tragic accident in Mendota this week.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been impacted,” the company said in a statement. Kelly’s family described the accident as “sudden and horrifically shocking.” Her mother, Melissa Rust, said she was devastated by her daughter’s death and had many unanswered questions.
Family says it was a wrongful death
“It was a wrongful death, in my opinion. It was a wrong way to die. She had a lot of life left to go. The fact that someone may have been negligent that caused her death, you know, it breaks my heart,” Rust said.
"She was intelligent and kind and artistic and loving. And she liked to laugh," said Rust. Her family has also set up a GoFundMe for "any help."
"This was incredibly sudden and horrifically shocking. Her life was cut short too soon," her mother wrote on the fundraiser. Celebration of Life will be at her parent's home at a later date.
