Worker succumbed to electrocution

Ronnie C. Roa | October 23, 2022

A construction worker failed to survive after getting electrocuted while working in a residential building last October 13 along Lilia Avenue, Cogon, Ormoc City.

Case investigator Police Corporal Sherwin M. Silvano identified the victim as Jomel T. Manatad, 26, single, and a resident of Purok Santan, Brgy. San Pablo, this city.

Initial investigation disclosed that the victim was pulling the steel trusses when it accidentally touched a live wire from a nearby electrical post.

Responding rescuer Francis Omega of the BFP-Emergency Medical Services described that the victim was still lying consciously on the 3rd floor during their rescue operations. Manatad fell from the trusses about 2-3 meters to the 3rd floor and was complaining of chest pains due to 2nd-degree burns. He also sustained 2nd-degree burns on his right leg and on his left hand which was the point of entry of the electric shock.

The BFP-EMS used the rope rescue technique to bring the victim down from the 3rd floor due to the unsafe makeshift ladders used in the construction. He was safely transported to the Ormoc District Hospital while his vitals were consistently monitored.

At around 6PM that day, police reports that the victim succumbed to death. Based on the death certificate, the victim suffered Acute Myocardial Infraction (30 minutes), electrical burns (4 hours), and Electrical Injury (4 hours and 30 minutes).

Building owner Rodolfo Mercadal, Jr. pledged to shoulder all burial expenses of his worker.