Arthur Luis Alves do Nascimento, two, was tragically electrocuted after touching the sign outside a cooking gas supply shop while he was playing with his friends in Rio de Janeiro
A two-year-old boy has tragically died after grabbing a bare wire that was lighting up an electric billboard outside a shop.
Little Arthur Luis Alves do Nascimento was zapped to death after touching the sign outside a cooking gas supply shop while he was playing with his friends in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although his parents rushed him to hospital, he was declared dead on arrival on November 26, according to local media.
Now the shop’s owners are being investigated by police for manslaughter after it emerged that they had been warned 30 days ago that the sign was dangerous. Local police chief Odilo Sena said: “Everything will be determined after the investigations and the progress of the investigations.”
Witnesses say Arthur had been sitting by the base of the sign and when he touched it to brace himself as he got up, he was hit by a huge electric shock. Owners of the Ultragas shop issued a message to Arthur’s heartbroken family following his death.
They said: “This is a time of immense pain, and our hearts are with the family and all who have suffered from this irreparable loss. The company deeply regrets what happened and is collaborating with the investigations and with all the necessary measures to ensure that the case is handled responsibly.
“We are deeply saddened by this accident and we stand in solidarity with the parents and relatives of Arthur Luis, offering our full support at this very difficult time. Ultragas reaffirms its commitment to the safety and well-being of all and is taking all measures so that tragedies like this do not happen again. In this time of pain, our priority is the support of the bereaved family, with all respect and consideration.”
Last year, a 10-year-old boy was electrocuted while putting up Christmas lights in his family home in Campo Largo, southwest of São Paulo, Brazil. Augusto Dalmaz Bonato was found lying unconscious by his horrified dad, who quickly called the emergency services.
Paramedics gave the young lad first aid and took him to a hospital in the nearest big city. Tragically, he died in the ICU. The child’s devastated sister, Carolina Dalmaz, told local media: “I tried to revive him. I did everything I could. In my profession, I have saved many people, and I thought I could save him too. It was such a silly thing. He was so happy about putting up the Christmas decorations; no one could have ever imagined what happened.”
Augusto’s death came at a grief-filled time for the Bonato family, as they lost Augusto’s grandfather a few weeks before. His grieving uncle, Hebert Bonato, told local media: “A fortnight ago, we lost my father, and now this blow. He received a massive shock. It wasn’t a simple Christmas lights shock. I don’t know if they were grounded to the earth.” Augusto was an altar boy at his local church and was “very religious”, according to his uncle. Hebert added: “He liked this time of year very much, he liked to spread the Christmas spirit to others.”
