British boy, 7, dies of electrocution in Patong

**dirtydog** · 03-01-2007, 06:51 PM

British boy, 7, electrocuted in Patong

PATONG: A seven-year-old British boy was electrocuted while playing a video game in his hotel room at the Sunset Beach Resort, police have confirmed.

Pol Lt Col Sopol Borirak, of Kathu Police Station, identified the victim as Connor Dean O’Keeffe, son of David Skinner, 49, and Kathleen Patricia Curry, 45.

Police were notified of the death about 8 pm on December 30 by staff at Patong Hospital, where the boy was rushed to for emergency treatment.

Col Sopol said that police presume that the boy went swimming at the hotel pool before returning to his room, where he began playing a video game without drying off.

The combination of water and electricity led to an electric shock, which proved fatal, police said.

No further details of the accident were given by police.

Management at the hotel were unavailable for comment.

The family were on a 10-day stay at the hotel when the accident occurred.

They will return to the UK tonight to arrange for their son’s funeral.

phuket gazette

**Whimsical** · 04-01-2007, 01:52 PM

Tragic

**slimboyfat** · 04-01-2007, 04:05 PM

yes this is terrible.

thanks for posting this, its a timely reminder that water and electricity do not mix.

**Little Chuchok** · 04-01-2007, 04:08 PM

Would this tragic outcome have been different if the vid plug had a ground?

**stroller** · 04-01-2007, 04:13 PM

...or the hotel an automatic circuit breaker?

**Little Chuchok** · 04-01-2007, 04:19 PM

Any sparkies or elec engineers answer..?

**dirtydog** · 04-01-2007, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

Would this tragic outcome have been different if the vid plug had a ground?

I don't think so unless the cases are earthed.

Originally Posted by stroller

or the hotel an automatic circuit breaker?

That would have saved his life, 475baht each they cost

**keda** · 04-01-2007, 05:49 PM

Not an electrician, but been here long enough to see many sockets that spark whenever they're accessed, even in upper end establishments, which suggests something is not quite right.

Had the electrikery lads in twice, first to attend to and then replace two points that were sparking. Now have breakers, surge protectors and whatever else the local wallah says might help save a life. Still, keeping the sockets above the sink as a gentle reminder that as a farang I stand a greater than 50% chance of shedding this mortal coil by unnatural means.

Tragic, and infuriating as it is to constantly read of domestic attitudes to health and safety issues that extend beyond road and traffic conditions, it seems Thailand is clinging firmly to its 3rd world status.

**dirtydog** · 05-01-2007, 10:28 PM

A British boy has died after being electrocuted in a hotel room at a beach resort in Phuket, Thailand. Connor Dean O'Keefe, aged seven, is believed to have been killed when he plugged his Game Boy in at a room at the Sunset Beach Resort on Saturday.
Local police believe he plugged in the handheld console while still wet after swimming, causing the accident.
His mother told the Daily Mirror he knew the dangers of electricity and was "definitely" not wet when electrocuted.
Reports suggest the child was found by his mother and stepfather after the incident, which happened during a family holiday.

Kathleen Patricia Curry, 45, and David Skinner, 49, are said to have found their son slumped on the floor of the room.
Ms Curry told the newspaper: "My son was only unplugging his Game Boy. He knew about the dangers of electricity and was not stupid.
"He wouldn't mess around with plugs and he definitely was not wet."
And she called for some sort of warning about different electrical systems abroad.
Meanwhile, Connor's sister Maria told the paper he had bought the Game Boy in Thailand.
'Tragic accident'
"Obviously there has to be a question over the safety of the electrics in the hotel," she said.
However, she conceded that this was "something that still has to be properly looked into".
Acting hotel manager Wiraporn Ungathakorn said he feared that a combination of water and electricity led to an electric shock which proved fatal, according to reports.
He said: "The water must have gone straight into the plug. The safety cut could not save him.
"He was found by his parents in the room and we sent him to hospital by ambulance."
The acting manager added: "Doctors could not save him. The hotel has paid his medical fees. This was just a tragic accident."
Tsunami aftermath
These sentiments were echoed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Sopol Borirak, who said "no blame" had been attached to the death as "it was an accident".
The Foreign Office said it was unable to comment on the boy's death.
The child's parents are thought to have returned to the UK with his body on Thursday.
The 95-room resort is in an area that was badly affected by the Tsunami two years ago.
It has since been repaired and visitor numbers have improved.
However, local authorities fear that such incidents may affect tourism.

BBC NEWS | UK | Boy dies in hotel electrocution

Thread: British boy, 7, dies of electrocution in Patong

Thread Tools

Display

British boy, 7, dies of electrocution in Patong

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions