Electrical incidents leave locals shocked
ANSWERS are being sought after a 29-year-old Richards Bay woman was knocked to the ground, unconscious, after suffering an electric shock – the source of which remains a mystery.
The incident occurred late on Saturday evening, 13 February.
Megan Bubb was barefoot inside a residential complex, soaking wet from the rain, waiting to push the electric gate motor buzzer to let her mother, Denise Edwards and her stepsister inside.
‘Megan took a step backwards and was flung to the ground, where she lay pinned and out cold as the current gripped her,’ said Denise.
‘My stepdaughter tried to help her up and was shocked twice. Others also ran to her aid and, although they were also being shocked, they managed to throw her from where she lay on the paving.
‘She opened her eyes and we dragged her to the car and raced her to Netcare The Bay Hospital. It was terrible; her heart rate was 177 and they suspected the current had induced a heart attack.
‘She smelt like she was burning and did in fact sustain both burns and injuries from being thrown to the ground. Her heart rate recovered after about four hours,’ said Denise.
Megan has fully recovered from her ‘near death’ experience, but the family is not happy that the root cause has never been established.
‘I went to the complex on the afternoon of 14 February and the agents called an electrician, who reportedly could find no fault,’ said Denise.
‘I am told he returned again the following day (Monday) and still found no electrical issues.
‘My own electrician inspected the scene on the Tuesday and also found no problem, but of course it might have been fixed by then.’
Two weeks on and still Megan is none the wiser.
Denise reported the matter to the Electrical Contractors Association and is awaiting their response.
‘Something like this doesn’t happen because of nothing. What if it happens again and someone dies?
‘There must be an explanation and I won’t rest until I get a proper one.’
Literal heart trouble on Valentine’s Eve