Woman electrocuted while fetching water

SOUTH AFRICA – A 37-year-old woman was electrocuted in Intshawini, near Stanger in the Ilembe district, while fetching water on Monday, the KwaZulu-Natal health department said.

The 37-year-old woman was walking barefoot with a bucket of water on her head, said emergency medical services spokesman Robert Mckenzie.

The bucket apparently touched a low hanging, live wire being used to conduct electricity and water spilled out, causing sparks, he said.

A man was hurt when he tried to help the woman.

Mckenzie said the woman died on the scene. The 39-year-old man was in a serious condition when paramedics assessed him.

He said the area had been cordoned off and that the municipal electricity department and police were on the scene.

“People are urged to be vigilant of unsafe or illegal connections and if found, to be cautious around them before reporting them to authorities,” he said.

“Do not tamper with electricity connections or power sources as illegal connections are dangerous and do have fatal consequences.” Sapa