Families grateful for 'outpouring of blessings' after electrical accident


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DRAPER — Amber Garn never imagined that the last time she would see her husband was when he dropped her off for work Friday morning.

But later that day, Aaron Garn, 39, was electrocuted while working on the roof of a Draper gymnastics center, 88 W. 13100 South, when an aluminum ladder fell onto a 7,200-volt power line. He was killed, and two other men were critically injured.

Garn leaves behind his wife and three children.

"He would do anything for us," his wife, Amber Garn, said Saturday. "He loved his family. … He was a good husband. Words can't express, really. I'm going to miss him."


We are heartbroken at the loss. We lost a brother, a friend, a husband and a father.

–Jacob Garn, Aaron Garn's brother


"We are heartbroken at the loss," said Aaron Garn's brother, Jacob Garn. "We lost a brother, a friend, a husband and a father."

The two other men injured in the accident remained hospitalized Saturday in critical condition at Intermountain Medical Center.

One of the men, Keith Mortensen, went into cardiac arrest when he was shocked. He was revived through first responders' CPR efforts, but his family said Saturday night that he remained on life support in a medically induced coma.

Mortensen's brother, Mark Mortensen, said even though doctors can't yet indicate a good outcome, his family is hopeful because he's showing signs that he's fighting for his life.

"He's fluttering his eyes a little bit and squeezing some hands when he's asked to, so we're hoping for the best," he said.

Keith Mortensen remained hospitalized Saturday on life support. He was shocked while working Friday when an aluminum ladder fell onto a power line. (Photo: Family photo)
Keith Mortensen remained hospitalized Saturday on life support. He was shocked while working Friday when an aluminum ladder fell onto a power line. (Photo: Family photo)

Keith Mortensen and his fiance, Tanna Orullian, have a 7-year-old daughter and another girl due to be born on Halloween.

"We're just trying to stay strong and calm and be there for him," Orullian said. "It's really hard."

Orullian said she worries for her family because he is their sole provider.

Both the Garn and Mortensen families have GoFundMe accounts for donations*. In just one day, the Garn family has received more than $11,000 in donations.

"Aaron surrounded himself with good people, and so those good people are now surrounding themselves around our family, and so we're grateful," Jacob Garn said. "We're so grateful for the outpouring of blessings and prayers of support that we've gotten from loved ones and the community. Nothing we can do would every repay that generosity."

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Keith Mortensen's other brother said his family has stayed by his side since he arrived at the hospital.

"It's just a flood in the waiting room," Steven Mortensen said. "It's so great to have that support structure."

Authorities have not released the name of the other man, but the Garn and Mortensen families said they have been in contact with his family.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with (them) and we pray that they recover," Jacob Garn said.

Utah Occupational Safety and Health was called to the scene of the incident to conduct an investigation.

Rocky Mountain Power spokesman David Eskelsen urged people to be safe around power lines. Safety tips and information for homes, farms and ranches, construction sites and more is available on the Rocky Mountain Power website at www.rockymountainpower.net/ed/hws.html.

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*KSL.com does not assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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Katie McKellar

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