Note the very small melt in the AC hot wire. This tiny connection between the AC and DC systems was all it took for AC electricity to find a path to the water.
Please pray for the family, and read the article to learn the astounding percent of boats with faulty wiring that poison the water with deadly AC electricity. The following is from Amy Cunningham, mother of the victim. Amy is part of the faculty at Fairmont State University. Thanks to Sister Rachel Claypool for bringing this to our attention.
First, I want to thank all of you for all your well wishes and kind words during this very difficult time for me.
As most of you may know, my 15-year-old son, Michael, was involved in a tragic, fatal accident on May 29, 2010 at Stonewall Jackson Lake. We have come to know the cause as “Electric Shock Drowning.” I’ve come to learn this is more common than most people know and I want to educate everyone on this horrible tragedy that CAN be prevented with education. Please read this article to learn more about ESD:
http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/kritz.asp
I know that a lot of you are members of Facebook. There is also a group on Facebook entitled “Electric Shock Drowning.” Please follow this link to join:
Facebook Group: Electric Shock Drowning
You can also search for the name of the group under “groups.” Our goal as family members and friends who have lost loved ones to this tragic beast is to educate as many people as we can and our personal goal is to obtain 5000 members of this group. We are getting there but we only have approx 3500 so far.
Please read the article to become familiar with this preventable tragedy during this time of year when so many people are enjoying the water, and please pass the word as well as join our group on Facebook. In addition, please ask all your friends on Facebook to become members of the Electronic Shock Drowning group as well. Thank you and have a safe summer!
-Amy