Four boys shocked by BPC electricity

Isaac Pinielo | Thursday December 11, 2014 19:36

 

The three juveniles, aged between 8 and 13, were admitted to hospital in a critical condition. They sustained severe burn to most parts of the body after the electricity box exploded on them.

One disheartened resident, Tshepiso Mantswe of Extension 27, Broadhurst said she was at relaxing in her house when she heard a loud thud outside. “It was a frighteningly loud sound. As soon as I heard it, I knew something really bad had happened,” she said. Mantswe ran out of the house to investigate and was met by the grisly sight of the three boys sprawled on the ground. 

“It was a scary sight. They were burnt all over their bodies. Their faces were hardly recognisable. Dark smoke coming from the electricity box gave us an idea of what had happened,” she said.

Bystanders rushed the three boys to Princess Marina Hospital.

One of them was later transferred to Bokamoso Private Hospital for further medical attention.

Efforts to get a comment from the parents of the three young boys were not fruitful. They declined to be interviewed as they were still shattered by the incident.

Superintendent Bonosi Molapisi of Broadhurst Police said there were actually four boys involved in the incident, noting that one managed to escape uninjured. He also said while the three boys were still hospitalised, their injuries were not life threatening.

Molapisi appealed to members of the public to avoid tempering with electricity equipment and cable. However, some residents have squared blame on alleged negligence by BPC, saying the open transmitters posed danger to the community.

When contacted for comment, BPC marketing and communications manager, Spencer Moreri stressed that electrical transmitter boxes were harpazardous and should not be tempered with. He said the corporation usually educated people on the danger of electricity. He however added that their electric equipment was often vandalised by cable thieves.