An Opa-locka homeowner is fighting for his life after he received an electrical shock while doing some work around his yard. According to Local 10 News, the Florida man had to be life-flighted to a medical facility for treatment, where he remains in critical condition.
Officials reported that they believe the shock was accidental in nature; however, Opa-locka officials are investigating the incident to find out exactly what went down.
This moment serves as an excellent reminder to homeowners, since buried wires and electrical lines that are hidden in trees and bushes can pose a real threat when doing yardwork.
Many municipalities have a number you can call before you do any digging to help locate these lines and keep you safe, hopefully preventing tragic accidents like this from happening to others.
BREAKING NEWS: A man was rushed to a hospital Tuesday afternoon after he was shocked by a live electrical wire while performing yard work in the backyard of a home in Opa-locka, authorities said. https://t.co/ye3jRNmCT0
— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) August 4, 2026
Police Found the Man in His Backyard
Opa-locka police said the incident happened at the 1300 block of Sharar Avenue, where they found the victim in his own backyard, suffering from what they described to Local 10 News as “severe electrical shock.”
Officers then began first aid treatments, which included “life-saving” measures. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue then arrived and took over, providing advanced medical care, the Opa-locka Police Department (OLPD) said in a press release reviewed by the publication.
NBC 6 South Florida says that the man was then airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where he remained in critical condition as of Aug. 4, 2026.
“The Opa-locka Police Department extends its thoughts and prayers to the victim and his family during this difficult time,” the press release concluded.
Homeowners Should Check for Buried Utilities Before Digging
While the investigation will likely uncover exactly how the man was shocked, a common way this happens is when people are digging and hit a buried electrical line. According to 811beforeyoudig.com, people should call 811 before they plan any projects that involve digging into their yard.
The service will send workers with flags out to mark any underground utilities that could be affected by the dig, including gas, water, electric, and even cable lines. These precautions can help prevent potential financial issues, which could happen if you cut one of the lines running to your home, as well as life-threatening ones if you were to hit a buried electrical line instead.
Like OLPD, we’re keeping the homeowner and his family in our thoughts while he recovers.