A tragic incident occurred in Indiana on Sunday afternoon when five individuals, including two children and a teenager, were electrocuted in a backyard swimming pool. The victims, a family of four and a friend of the family’s daughter, were trying to beat the summer heat when the accident happened, according to local law enforcement.
The incident began around 2:30 p.m. when the group in the pool felt an unusual vibration. The father, sensing something was wrong, called for the sump pump to be turned off, as reported by Logansport Police Chief Travis Yike. Unfortunately, all five individuals were shocked by the electrified water before the pump could be deactivated.
When first responders arrived at the scene, at least two of the victims were unresponsive. All five were rushed to the hospital with varying degrees of injuries. However, thanks to the quick thinking and bravery of the family’s 16-year-old son, who works as a local lifeguard, all are expected to survive.
The teenager, despite being injured himself, managed to pull his family members and his sister’s friend from the pool once the power was shut off. Chief Yike praised the young man’s actions, stating that the outcome could have been much worse if not for his heroic efforts.
Investigators have since determined that the cause of the electric shock was a wire on the pool pump that had been pinched by the pool’s ladder. This caused the protective cover to break, exposing the wire to the water.
Chief Yike described the incident as an unfortunate accident but expressed relief that everyone involved is expected to recover. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with swimming pools and the importance of regular maintenance and safety checks.