A two-year-old boy was electrocuted after coming into contact with an illegal electricity connection in Hazelmere on Friday morning.
Residents from a nearby informal settlement contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) at approximately 11:44 AM, requesting urgent medical assistance for the child. RUSA paramedics and officers rushed to the scene, where they were informed that the child had regained consciousness after being doused with cold water.
The toddler sustained burn injuries to his left index finger. A relative reported that the child had been playing in the yard when he accidentally touched an exposed, poorly insulated electrical cable. The cable was reportedly being used to illegally supply power to multiple homes in the area.
Authorities have not yet commented on the incident, but illegal power connections remain a serious safety hazard in many informal settlements.