Thai schoolgirl dies from electric shock while charging phone

In a series of events becoming too familiar in Thailand, a 13 year old schoolgirl was electrocuted while charging her phone and was found dead by her grandmother. A frayed extension cable is believed to be the cause.

On Monday at 1.30pm, officers at Ban Na Police Station in Nakhon Nayok province were informed a child had died from an electric shock at a rented room in the Pa Kha subdistrict.

Police, doctors from Ban Na Hospital and rescue workers rushed to the scene to investigate.

In the sixth of several rooms, officers found the body of 13 year old Rattanawadee “Prae” Pooltawee, a Grade 7 student at Ban Na School.

Police said Prae was lying on the floor in yellow gym clothes. Her right hand was “charred.”

Next to her body, a two-metre-long extension cable was found. The cable was frayed, exposing the copper wires inside.

Prae’s 57 year old grandmother Chaweewan Pooltawee, who rents the room with her sick husband and Prae, explained what happened through teary eyes.

Chaweewan said that Prae asked her to pick her up early from school because she was suffering from period pains, so the teacher let her have half a day off.

Upon coming home, Phrae said her phone was out of battery. A short while later, Chaweewan heard a scream.

Chaweewan’s husband, in front of the room, shouted that Phrae was electrocuted so Chaweewan ran to turn off the mains electricity.

However, Chaweewan said she grabbed Phrae who was “already still.”

Rescuers attempted to perform CPR however Phrae was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police assume Phrae picked up the extension cord to plug in her mobile phone, accidentally touching the exposed copper wire.

Just last week, a young Thai man was found dead in his room in Bangkok clutching a mobile phone.

The 28 year old welder, Wanchai, plugged his phone charger into a faulty extension cable.

Wanchai’s hand was burned and blood was dripping from his mouth, leading police to conclude that he was electrocuted to death.