Nathaly Rodrigues do Nascimento, 17, was walking to school in Bonfinopolis, Brazil, when she stepped into a road during heavy rain – just as a power line broke and electrocuted her in the street
A 17-year-old girl was electrocuted and tragically died when a power line broke as she crossed the road in the during heavy rainfall.
Nathaly Rodrigues do Nascimento was killed on her way to school in Bonfinopolis, in the state of Goiania, Brazil, when the freak accident happened. Her family said that she would get up at around 4.30am to go to work and then took a bus back to where she studied.
It was when she was heading back to her school last Tuesday, September 23, that she was electrocuted during heavy rain. Police said that she had left the stationery store in Brasilia where she worked and was making the 20 mile journey to school where she was due to take a test, when she was electrocuted.
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Rejaine Rosa de Oliveira, who witnessed the incident, told TV Anhanguera, that two power lines broke and Nathaly received a fatal electric shock as she crossed the road in the downpour.
“There was a loud noise and as I’m very afraid of electricity, I ran back, but some people carried on. She went to cross (the road) where there was a lot of water and as she stepped the line was dropping down,” she said.
And police said that when emergency services arrived at the scene they found the loose electrical cable was live, reported G1.
Sandra Gouveia, the headteacher of Nathaly’s school, said the girl was polite and dedicated. “She had already left her things at school, so she didn’t have to even stop by home when she came back from work. She is a terrible loss,” said Ms Gouveia.
Family and friends took part in a vigil for Nathaly in Bonfinopolis on Wednesday calling for justice. Marcos Méndes, a friend of the victim, demanded that Equatorial Goias, which manages the supply and maintenance of electricity pylons in Goiás, be held accountable.
According to another friend Eduardo Henrique, the family still can’t believe the teenager’s death. “It wasn’t an accident, it was negligence. It only really sunk in today, when we saw her in the coffin,” he said.
A statement from the electrical company Equatorial Goias said it regretted the accident that occurred during the storm in Goiânia and would provide the family with support.
It read: “Equatorial Goiás deeply regrets the accident recorded during the storm this Tuesday (23), in Goiânia. The company expresses its solidarity with the family and friends of the victim and informs that it will provide all necessary support.
“As soon as it learned of the accident, Equatorial implemented the necessary safety measures. The causes of the accident will be investigated by the appropriate authorities. The distributor will monitor the investigation and continue to provide full support.”
Police have launched an investigation into the tragic incident.
