An “amazing” father has died after being electrocuted in a freak Christmas Eve accident, leaving his family “heartbroken”.
Aaron Greentree died while he was working on an air-conditioning unit at the property on Jet Place, in Eagle Vale, Sydney, Australia, at around 10am local time on Tuesday. Emergency services including paramedics and fire crews rushed to the scene, but the young father could not be saved, reports the Mirror.
At the time he died, the 29-year-old tradesman is understood to have been working inside the roof cavity of the home, the Sydney Daily Telegraph reports. Mr Greentree, who was from Oakdale, leaves behind his partner and two young daughters. A close friend said Mr Greentree’s family – partner Tiarne Leigh and their two daughters, Alaska and Skylar – are struggling to come to terms with his sudden death.
Speaking to the Telegraph, they said: “We can’t even begin to understand this … he was the best dad, we are shattered for his girls. How do you break this news to them, especially on Christmas? He was a beautiful young man. May he rest in peace.”
The doting dad recently got engaged to his long time partner and celebrated his 29th birthday in November. Several of Mr Greentree’s friends visited the scene and also expressed their heartbreak over his tragic death.
A spokesman from NSW Police has confirmed officers set up a crime scene following the incident. Meanwhile, a spokesman from SafeWork NSW declined to comment when contacted as it was a private job and the incident did not occur on an official work site. Forensic officers spent hours removing tiles from the roof to get access to the space underneath in an effort to recover Mr Greentree’s body. Several emergency service workers were seen standing on top of the roof.
A fire truck, police vehicles and ambulance vehicles were seen parked in front of the home on Tuesday as cops cornered off the property. Officers were also seen taking photographs of the scene and from inside Mr Greentree’s work vehicle. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Following the tragic accident, his grief-stricken partner Tiarne posted a heartbreaking tribute to Facebook on Christmas Day. Ms Leigh wrote: “No words can describe the devastation we are feeling and the impact his absence has on our family.
“He will be forever loved and missed, and will live on through his children and in our memories. The best gift he gave me was our girls and my heart will ache for the rest of my life. I love you Aaron, you were my heart and soul and I am so sorry.”
A fundraiser was started on Christmas Day afternoon for Mr Greentree’s partner and two young daughters, and has now raised more than AUS$34,000 (£27,000) The fundraising organiser wrote: “On Tuesday … we got the devastating news our ball-breaking, heart-of-gold friend Aaron, while doing what he did best, helping a mate out, was involved in a fatal accident.”
“Aaron was the life of every party, the jokester, the funny, gentle giant that was an amazing mate. Devastatingly he has left behind his two beautiful daughters Alaska and Skylar and their mummy Tia, who are struggling to find the sense in this all. To assist in finding their way in their new life, we have started a GoFundMe to support any financial and emotional challenges they will face going into the year.”
You can donate to the family’s fundraising page here.
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