The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A FAMILY fun day at the pool of the Orange Hill Beach Inn on West Bay Street came to a tragic end on Friday when an 8-year-old boy was electrocuted and killed after he came into contact with an air conditioner.

According to police, the child who was with several relatives, had just finished swimming in the pool when it is claimed he touched the air conditioning unit and was shocked. He was taken to the hospital where he later died, police said. The incident, authorities said, happened at around 4pm on Friday.

Central Detective Unit Superintendent Paul Rolle said police will conduct an autopsy and expect to have the results by Wednesday. He said the case file will also be sent on to the coroner for investigation.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, an employee who did not want to be identified, said the management and staff at Orange Hill Beach Inn were saddened by the “all around awful” incident.

“A group of them – a local family who were checked in at the Orange Hill Beach Inn – were in the pool enjoying themselves and someone came running in saying to call an ambulance. They were frantic and saying call the ambulance right away,” the worker said.

“This is just an all around awful incident. We at the resort have never ever experienced anything like this. It is the first time. It is just so sad.

“The details are still unclear so we are not sure if he touched the AC or if he slipped and crashed into it.”

While police said their investigations are continuing, the employee confirmed that not only is the Orange Hill Beach Inn conducting an internal investigation, but a private firm has also been hired to look into the matter.