AN investigation was under way last night after a man died when a cherrypicker he was using hit live overhead power lines.

The 26-year-old was in the bucket of the machine, helping to build a large chicken shed, when he was electrocuted.

Two ambulances were called to the scene.

The man, from Catterick, was flown to hospital in Middlesbrough by the Great North Air Ambulance and treated en route by a doctor, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The accident happened at Arrathorne, near Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, at about 9.20am yesterday.

The power line is believed to have been carrying some 11,000 volts.

Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the incident.

A police spokesman: “It is not believed that there are any suspicious circumstances and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”

Power to local premises was affected because of the incident, but supplies were restored later.

It is understood the man was helping to construct a shed for free range chickens at a local farm when the incident occurred.

One local woman said: “There are police everywhere.

It is shocking in a small village like this.”

A man said: “A firm in Northallerton was working on the new chicken shed, and they had also contracted people in from Leicester.

“It was a huge shed they were building as it was for 10,000 hens.

“There has not been this much activity in the village for all the time I have lived here.”

The victim has still to be formally identified.

A post-mortem examination is expected to take place today.