Nyakrom SHTS Student Dies From Electric Shock

Eric Bruce, a first year student at Nyakrom Senior High Technical School (SHTS) tragically died from an electric shock on Monday.

The incident took place on Monday, May 13, 2024, in Otabilkrom in Agona Swedru in the Central Region. Reports indicate that heavy rains in Agona Swedru and the surrounding areas on Monday caused significant damage, including downed electric power lines. An electric wire on Eric’s house was severed and fell to the ground.

In an attempt to clear the wire from the path, Eric used a bamboo stick, believing that the bamboo would insulate him from the electric current. Unfortunately, the power did pass through the bamboo, electrocuting him instantly.

Eric’s body has been taken to the morgue, where it awaits an autopsy report from the police.

This is not the first time an SHS student is being electrocuted. In 2015, a 19 year old student of Saint Augustine S.H.S in Bogoso in Western Region, Patricia Dede was electrocuted and lost her life in a painful way  at Bebiawu, a suburb of Bogoso.

Chief Inspector Berko, who was on call at the scene of the incident narrated the morbid story that led to the death on Saturday (26.09-2015) at 9:20AM.

“She was electrocuted when she was trying to iron [press] her clothing”, the inspector said. Going into details, Officer Berko revealed that there was a water heater already plugged into the electrical socket that the deceased had wanted to utilize for her electric iron.

“As she tried to remove the heater, her hand touched an exposed wire which then led to her electrocution and subsequent death”, Inspector Berko added.

One of the tenants in the house explained that they were in front of house when they heard Patricia screaming from her room for help and when they rushed to the scene, they realised they were too late as they saw her [Patricia] laying down unconscious with the plugged water heater on top of her

Also in 2010, a second-year student of the Kumasi Secondary Technical School was electrocuted. The student, Michael Sarkodie, met his untimely death when he attempted to scale over the school wall which had an electrified razor wire mounted on it.

School authorities denied electrifying the wire and suspect an illegal connection by shop owners behind the school’s walls may have powered the wire. The deceased, perhaps in an attempt to escape punishment attempted to climb over the wall into the school compound.

READ ALSO; Over 20 pupils escape death as school building collapses in the Central Region

In recent years, Ghana has witnessed a troubling rise in the number of electrocution incidents involving high school students. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for comprehensive education on electrical safety within the school curriculum. Teaching students about electricity is not just about understanding how it powers our daily lives; it’s a crucial step in preventing tragic accidents and saving lives.

Electrocution incidents often stem from a lack of basic knowledge about how electricity works and the potential dangers associated with it. High school students, who are naturally curious and increasingly involved in activities requiring electrical devices, are particularly vulnerable. Without proper education, they may not fully understand the risks of handling electrical appliances, navigating environments with exposed wiring, or dealing with electrical faults.

Integrating electrical safety education into the school curriculum can address this knowledge gap effectively. This education should cover fundamental concepts such as the properties of electricity, safe handling of electrical appliances, and the dangers of faulty wiring and electrical shorts. Practical lessons, such as how to identify potential hazards and what to do in case of an electrical emergency, can empower students to make informed decisions and take preventive measures.