Man, electrocuted, found hanging on high voltage tower

A man believed to be in his mid-30s was in the early hours of Tuesday found dead on high voltage tower at Abaobo Extension in the Ashanti Region.

The man, whose name was only given as Fatau, was hanging by a climbing belt on the 33,000 volts tower line of the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRDICo) at Abaobo Extension in the Asokore-Mampong Municipality.

He was alleged to have climbed the tower to steal the cable, but was electrocuted in the process.

According to some residents, somewhere around 2:30 a.m., they heard someone screaming for help and when they came out, they saw a young man hanging on the tower.

They said they could not help and, therefore, called the police and the Ghana National Fire Service.

However, by the time help finally came, the man was dead.

ECG installations

The Regional Communications Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Mr Erasmus Kyere Baidoo, said he believed that the deceased had some basic knowledge in electrical engineering and had been exposed to such a venture and as such had acquired some gadgets that were used by ECG staff.

However, he observed that the gloves used by the deceased were of inferior quality and as such could not withstand the high voltage, resulting in his electrocution.

According to him, Fatau could not have operated alone as he would need help from at least one or two people to succeed in cutting the cables.

Mr Baidoo said it was sad that some members of the public continued to ignore the advice by the ECG to stay away from its installations.

Unnecessary risk

The Manhyia Divisional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr Kwaku Buah, described the incident as very unfortunate and advised the youth not to engage in such unnecessary risks.

He said the act, aside from being illegal, was also dangerous.

The body has since been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.