11-year-old dies, 25-year-old hurt in electrocution

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An 11-year-old boy died after he was electrocuted while attending a foam party in Banate, Iloilo.

Alias Prince, a resident of People’s Village, Barangay Magdalo, Banate, died shortly after he was brought to a hospital.

His companion, 25-year-old alias Kent, was injured but survived.

According to reports, Prince and Kent attended the foam party, one of the activities for Banate’s annual fiesta celebration, at Esplanade 1 in Barangay Poblacion.

Witnesses said the victims were seen crawling underneath a makeshift stage at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

Lt. Maria Cherry Demarana, Banate police chief, said Kent hit an exposed wire connected to the sound system.

Kent then lost consciousness.

When Prince noticed something was wrong with Kent, he held him and tried to pull him away.

The boy was also electrocuted and appeared to have suffered the brunt of the shock.

Both were rushed to Gov. Niel D. Tupas Sr. District Hospital in Barotac Viejo, but Prince died at around 2:07 a.m.

Kent survived and was allowed to go home after treatment.

Demarana clarified that organizers had placed railings to prevent the crowd from entering the area where the two were electrocuted.

It was not yet known if anyone would be held liable for the incident.

Demarana said the victims’ families have yet to indicate whether they would pursue criminal charges.