CROOKED RIVER, Clarendon – A Clarendon man, Vaughn Lawrence, was reportedly electrocuted on Tuesday after he became entangled with Jamaica Public Service (JPS) high tension wires while trying to cut down a tree to make furniture.

According to members of the community, Vaughn, 28, was warned about the danger of attempting to fell the tree, but he would not listen.

“That’s just the kind of person he is; a hardworking man and I love him for that,” said Floyd Francis, deacon at the New Testament Church of God, where Vaughn “was received as a member on Sunday.”

“He wanted to cut down the tree to get the board to make furniture but because it’s so close to the light he had to cut off those limbs first.”

Lilly Lawrence, Vaughn’s mother, visibly distraught, said Sunday was a turning point in her son’s life. To her, the decision to become a Christian was a sign that he was making strides to turn his life around after serving time in prison, resulting from an altercation with another member of the community some time ago.

“He was so close to God; anytime I’m talking to him he’s always telling me about the lord,” said Lawrence. “I feel it to my heart; everybody is moaning right now, but we just have to give God thanks because (He) knows best and I am not going to question (Him) about it,” she added.