BACOLOD CITY – A barangay councilor and a rescuer were killed and three others were injured after they were electrocuted while taking down Christmas lights in Barangay Poblacion, Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Monday, Jan. 6.
RESCUERS revive one of five individuals electrocuted while removing Christmas lights in Barangay Poblacion, Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Monday, Jan. 6. (Photo courtesy of Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office)
Police identified the fatalities as Barangay Arebasore Kagawad Elnie Endencio, 41; and Jonel Tenebroso, 31, of Barangay Mayapose, an employee of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM).
Injured were Barangay Arebasore Kagawad Jay-ar Norbe, 33; Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson Realyn Billares, 19, of Barangay Banban; and Kimjun Padasay, 30, barangay secretary of Barangay Arebasore.
Police Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental police, said that the victims were removing Christmas lights on a Christmas tree at around 5:30 p.m. using a boom truck operated by Tenebroso when it accidentally touched the live wire of an electric post and were electrocuted.
He added that it was raining at that time. “Considering the electric current and being wet, the impact was very severe on the victims,” Polinar said.
Polinar said that it was an accident and the victims never knew that they would hit a main line despite exerting precautionary measures.
He said that Tenebroso and Endencio were declared dead in a hospital while the three others were referred to a hospital in Dumaguete City where they are recuperating.