By Eben Enasco
Emotions ran high when helpless onlookers and neighbors could not save the situation as they watched with pains, a near 70-year-old man, Solomon Odogbor and his last child alongside two others who were hired, got electrocuted while trying to repaint and give his two-storey building a face lift.
The incident, which happened by the popular Edaiken Primary School Road, Uselu Quarters, in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, had the victims, Odogbor and one of the two laborers die instantly due to the said shocks received by the victims while climbing a metal scaffold attached to the building, used during the tragic incident.
Odogbor, the owner of the two-storey building, was said to be preparing ahead of one of his daughter’s marriage when the tragic incident struck on Friday.
According to Osakpolor Odia, a witness who narrated the ugly incident, the incident was caused by the deceased who attached a metal scaffold close to a high tension electric pole.
Odia disclosed that he was present when the deceased held the wavering scaffold from the base to give it stability for the laborers who had climbed to embark on the building repainting.
Shortly, he said, one of the workers screamed for help, as Odogbor the first casualty was seen stuck in between the scaffold and the poles while fire burnt from his vibrating body as he was being electrocuted.
Osakpolor Odia explaining, said, “the landlord was holding the scaffold when he was electrocuted. He and his son held the scaffold when the electric current attracted the object. They were burnt beyond recognition”.
Another eye witness, who is a food vendor corroborated the story, adding, “I earlier shouted as I saw them climb the pole because it was too close to the high tension lines. Before you know it, it was only cry for help I heard as I ran to the house.
Bright Ekuase Awanbor is the Uselu Community head who also confirmed the incident.
He lamented while describing it as tragic.
As at Saturday morning when newsmen visited the scene, police operatives from Ugbowo Police Division had evacuated the remains of the dead bodies to the mortuary while the others were taken to the hospital for medical attention.
When contacted for confirmation, the Edo State Police Command image maker, SP Kontongs Bello said he’s yet to be briefed.
Inquest Television