Power line cuts off laborer's head in Navotas

MANILA, Philippines - A laborer was decapitated when a power line hit by lightning struck him in the neck in Navotas City Sunday night.

Emmanuel Pelare, a resident of Barangay Bangculasi, suffered burns on his body and his head was thrown to the pavement when a “live power line” hit him, according to Letty Cortez, a civilian employee at the Navotas City police station.

Cortez said Pelare was walking along Galicia street in Barangay Bangculasi when lightning struck an electric post at around 8:30 p.m.

The lightning cut off the main power line, which hit a passing tricycle. When Pelare tried to come to the driver’s rescue, the dangling power line hit him in the neck.

“The very strong electric current could have caused the decapitation of the victim,” Cortez said.

Cortez said lightning striking power lines is a common occurrence in Navotas, a coastal city, “but what happened to Pelare was gruesome,” she said.