British boy, 7, electrocuted in Patong

PATONG: A seven-year-old British boy was electrocuted while playing a video game in his hotel room at the Sunset Beach Resort, police have confirmed.

Pol Lt Col Sopol Borirak, of Kathu Police Station, identified the victim as Connor Dean O’Keeffe, son of David Skinner, 49, and Kathleen Patricia Curry, 45.

Police were notified of the death about 8 pm on December 30 by staff at Patong Hospital, where the boy had been rushed for emergency treatment.

Col Sopol said that police presume the boy went swimming in the hotel pool before returning to his room, where he began playing a video game without drying off.

The combination of water and electricity led to an electric shock, which proved fatal, police said.

No further details of the accident were given by police.

Management at the hotel were unavailable for comment.

The family were on a 10-day stay at the hotel when the accident occurred.

They will return to the UK tonight to arrange for their son’s funeral.