Man zapped while painting bldg.

CEBU, Philippines - A construction worker sustained third-degree burns all over his body while working alone in a building at corner B. Rodriguez and V. Rama streets, Cebu City, yesterday morning.

Jovel Pataytay, 24, a resident of San Fernando town, Cebu, was rushed to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center after he was electrocuted after his paint roller snagged live wire while he was working at the roof of the LLU building around 10:15 a.m.

The victim was repainting the outer wall of the second floor when the incident happened.

Cowart Suazo, a web programmer was working inside the building, said that before he learned that Pataytay was electrocuted, he heard a loud blast which he just ignored.

 “Nag-Skype man ko atong panahona unya nakadungog ko og lagubo. Wala ra sad ko ning-mind kay dili man gud ko ratolon,” said Suazo

He added that after the loud blast, the building tenants suddenly panicked and thought that the establishment was on fire.

“Nahibong man ko ngano ga-impaki akong mga kauban. So, ako nalang sad gipagawas akong sakyanan,” said Suazo.

While Suazo went out from the building, Allan Limoran, who was passing by, noticed the commotion.

Pataytay was shouting for help from the roof but could not move as his foot was stuck in something.

“Nakabantay man gud ko nga daghan tawo unya nagkagubot mao to nangutana ko ug pagkahibaw nako na naay nakuryentehan ako dayon gisaka ug gitabangan,” said Limoran.

He went up to the roof and extricated Pataytay’s foot from entanglement. He then kept the victim company until the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation arrived.

“May gani nagsul-ob ko og leather shoes para dili ko makuryentehan ug nakaapil pud ko og mga fire drills sa dihang nagtrabaho pa ko sa Ayala sa una.” he added.

Rescue personnel lowered Pataytay from the roof using a spineboard, close to the edge of the roof the board suddenly twisted and the victim almost smashed his face against the building.

Pataytay was admitted at the hospital for medical treatment.

Cebu Fire Marshal Aderson Comar said they had a hard time rescuing the victim because there were no safe paths for the rescuers to use.    - (THE FREEMAN)