A resident of Bacolod City suffered serious burns after he accidentally hit a high-voltage power line while attempting a do-it-yourself internet cable installation at Purok Malipayon in Barangay 35 on Wednesday (May 14).
According to Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power), the incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of working near electrical lines without proper training and safety precautions.
Investigation indicated that the victim was attempting to install a WiFi cable for a computer shop.
While attempting to cross the street with the cable, the victim used a plastic bottle as a weight to guide the cable across.
The bottle, however, struck an electrical primary line, resulting in the victim receiving electrical burns on his right hand.
He was immediately transported to the regional hospital for treatment.
Local residents confirmed that the victim was not a trained telecommunications technician.
In a statement, Negros Power said the incident highlights the critical importance of safety when working near electrical infrastructure, stressing that only qualified and trained personnel should undertake such tasks.
Improper handling of electrical lines can lead to severe injury or even death, it added.
Negros Power urged the public to exercise extreme caution and to always contact qualified technicians for any work involving electrical lines or equipment.
Attempting such work without proper training and safety gear is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all cost, it further said. ||
