Boy, 7, dies as he tries to help pal, 13

CEBU, Philippines - A seven-year-old boy died while his nine-year-old friend was injured when both were electrocuted during lunch break Tuesday in Barangay Sacsac, Consolacion town.

Grade one pupil Kervy Tarima was electrocuted when he attempted to help his friend Wilfred Burdario, a grade three pupil, who got into contact with a metal post at past 12:00 pm.

Tarima and Burdario were both taken to the Eversley Child Sanitarium Hospital in Barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City. Tarima did not reach the hospital alive.

Burdario was treated and advised to rest at home.

The two boys were both pupils of the Sacsac Elementary School.

PO3 Arthur Ariate, of Consolacion Police Station, said the boys were playing near a metal electrical post located about 20 to 30 meters from the school at that time when Burdario suddenly hit the post.

“Kini si Burdario maoy unang nipilit sa poste unya nakakita ning biktima (Tarima) gitabang niya,”  Ariate said in a phone interview.

Upon seeing Burdario, Tarima tried to pull his friend from the post causing the latter to be electrocuted.

“Ang impact naa na hinuon niya pagtabang niya,” police said.

Ariate said one of the live wires on the post was exposed, which touched the post, a conductor of electricity. 

“Nabag-id-bag-id lang ning kuryente unya metal ang poste ga-uwan pa gyud pwerte gyud kalagom sa bata wala man hinuon mi nakita nga paso sa lawas,” he said. — (FREEMAN)