Dangling live wire kills vendor

MANILA, Philippines - A 46-year-old male vendor died in a freak accident when he got electrocuted from a dangling live electric wire in Tondo, Manila Tuesday night.

Romulo Artates, of 679 Raja Matanda, Tondo, failed to make it alive at the Mary Johnston Hospital where he was rushed by a concerned pedicab driver, according to case investigator SPO2 Virgo Villareal. The victim sustained burns on his left arm and a wound on his chin when he collapsed unconscious at the pavement. Villareal said that at around 8:50 p.m. an explosion occurred in one of the electric posts at the corner of Ilaya and Albuquerque streets in Tondo causing one of its power lines to be cut off with its end dangling. A power outage also happened in the area.

Villareal quoted witnesses as saying that Artates was passing by not aware of the dangling live wire due to darkness. The victim’s body touched the end of the live wire causing him to shake even as he managed to shout for help. However, no one dared to rescue the victim for fear of being electrocuted until he fell to the pavement unconscious.

Villareal said he will look on the possible liability of the power utility firm Meralco on the accident. He will also question barangay officials why no one sealed off the area despite the danger of the dangling live wire.                – Nestor Etolle