Fatal electrocution in Hamilton: Accident still vivid for victim’s friend

A Hamilton man completing chimney work Saturday at a Hamilton building was fatally electrocuted when he contacted a live power line, according to police.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Identity of man fatally electrocuted at Hamilton home released

Today, the Butler County Coroner’s Office released results of an autopsy performed on David E. Robertson, 67.

Robertson died of electrocution and his death was ruled an accident, according to the coroner’s office.

Robertson was repairing a chimney on an apartment in the 2300 block of Pleasant Avenue when he made contact with a power line while operating on a portable articulating lift, according to Hamilton police.

He was found unresponsive at 3 p.m. and could not be revived by the Hamilton Fire Department, according to a police report.

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Ed Ratliff, 63, of Hamilton, said he was working with Robertson when the incident occurred, but was on the ground.

Robertson’s head contacted a power line while he was repairing bricks on the chimney, he said.

Ratliff, who had known Robertson for more than a decade, called him “a very good guy.”

Ratliff told the Journal-News he was having trouble getting the memory of the accident out of his mind.

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