Detainees die from electrocution

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
TWO detainees at the Kimbe police cell facing criminal charges died after they were electrocuted while trying to escape and pronounced dead at the Kimbe hospital on Friday, police said.
West New Britain acting police commander Insp Daniel Yangen said the detainees “were trying to create an escape route on top of the roof” when they were electrocuted.
He said the detainees climbed to the roof to cut open the roofing iron but accidently cut a live wire.
When the wire was exposed electricity passed through the whole cell block because the cell block was built with iron, Insp Yangen said.
“When one of them saw that the other was hanging, he tried to help him down but he also was electrocuted because he was leaning against the cell block iron bars.
“The electricity flow through the water in the cell block and all the detainees were scared to help their friends so they stood and watched them and called out that two men had been electrocuted.”
Insp Yangen said policemen were quick to respond.
They turned off the main switch and the men fell down on the floor.
He said the men were then rushed but were pronounced dead at the hospital.
He said doctors at Kimbe hospital had also confirmed electrocution as well as PNG Power staff who were called to the scene.
Insp Yangen said the deceased are Tobi Pendal who was arrested and detained for allegedly murdering his wife, in possession of drug and escaping from custody while the other deceased was Marshal Kasu, who was arrested and detained for incest.