B.E.L. denies liability in electrocution

In the wake of last weekend’s accidental death of a Belize City man by electrocution, Belize Electricity Limited has issued a press release denying any liability in the incident and offering tips to the public on how to avoid the danger of high voltage lines. According to B.E.L., the accident which killed John Myvette and injured Douglas Gabourel and Antonio Estrada, was unfortunate but was caused by the accidental touching of their boat’s aluminum mast to the overhead high tension lines. These lines were not hanging in any unsafe condition and, according to the release, it was the presence of an in line fuse, which blew out as designed, that actually saved the lives of the two injured men. Among its suggestions, B.E.L. advises the public not to touch power lines directly or with any object. Trees should not be planted near lines and any trees now touching wires should be removed only in consultation with B.E.L. Children should not fly kites around power lines and if a kite does get caught in the wires it should be abandoned. Finally, viewers are reminded to be extremely careful when erecting outdoor TV antennas and any such antenna should be installed at least ten feet from any electrical line.