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Subscribe to RSSA second boy has died after a group of children were shocked by an electrical current as they swam at a marina in a Tennessee lake.
Grainger County Sheriff Scott Layell said 11-year-old Nate Lynam of Morristown was pronounced dead at 7:35 p.m. Thursday at East Tennessee Children's Hospital, NBC station WBIR reported.
Another boy, Noah Winstead, 10, of Morristown died Wednesday at the German Creek Marina on Cherokee Lake in Bean Station, WBIR reported.
Officials said the two boys and an 8-year-old girl were swimming between two houseboats when they were shocked. The adults and a 12-year-old boy were shocked when they tried to get the three children out of the water. The two children who survived were siblings of the boys who died, officials said.
Grieving father fights invisible killer of swimmers
"At first, everybody thought maybe they were being stung or snake-bitten and everyone began to jump in to attempt to save them," said Layell. "When they hit the water, of course, they became [victims of electric shock] as well and paralyzed for some period of time. So many people coming to the rescue, jumping in, risking their lives, not knowing what they're getting into; that's just pure heroism. That's what true heroes are made of."
The incident was one of two on the Fourth of July involving deaths of children who were shocked while swimming. In Missouri, 13-year-old Alexandra Anderson and her 8-year-old brother, Brayden, were killed when they were shocked around noon by an unknown source of electricity while swimming near a private dock in the Lake of the Ozarks, KSHB-TV reported.
Nate Lynam's family released the following statement after his death:
The family of Nate Lynam is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from family, friends, and the community.
It is the family's wish that the tragedy that claimed his life not be what defines it. Nate was a loving son, a loyal brother, and a kind and respectful young man.
If there is anything newsworthy in this tragedy it is this: Nate and his friend, Noah, loved Jesus and trusted in Him. The family finds great comfort in knowing that they will be reunited one day in Heaven.
The First Baptist Church in Morristown, Tenn., has set up the Fund for Our Two Families to provide financial support for the victims' relatives, WBIR reported. Donations may be sent to the First Baptist Church; P.O. Box 1899; Morristown, TN 37816. The church finance director said a method to donate online is being established.
Saul Young / AP
Evidence tape covers an electrical meter near two houseboats at German Creek Marina in Bean Station, Tenn., on Wednesday after a fatal accident involving electricity and swimming.
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How so sad. Condolennces to the family and Dad.
source of the electricity? Who owned the electrical equipment and who was in charge of inspection/maintenance?
Swimming in or near a marina is one of the most dangerous things one can do and should never be allowed. The likely source of the current is one or more boats with faulty electrical systems and plugged into shore power. Such boats can leak lethal electrical currents into the water. All boats in the marina which are plugged into shore power should be checked for stray currents.
I remember reading a report where a child and man were both shocked trying to climb aboard a houseboat. It turns out to have been caused by a combination of a pinched neutral wire in a light fixture on board the house boat and a bad ground connection in the extension cord connecting the boat to the pier power source. Neither one alone would have probably caused a problem. It took both THAT boat and THAT cord.
There's a lot of strange unexplained problems with electricity. First the girl that was shocked and killed at a mini put put from an unknown source while she was reaching into the water for a ball, and then these two kids. How terrible for the families, my sincere condolences go out to them.
I'll bet the circuit was installed illegally, without permit or inspection, and there was no GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTOR (GCFI) in it. Someone against government inspections. Had there been one, just like in your kitchen or bathroom, once overloaded for one millisecond, it cuts the flow of electricity until corrected and reset by someone.
@ John - I don't know. I would need someone who knows marine code to make sure. In any event there are two types of GFCIs. One that trips on 5 ma (I think that's the correct value) and is designed to protect people. This is the type the you have in your house. The other is designed to trip on a higher current of around 60 ma. This one is designed to protect equipment. The small one works well in bathrooms and kitchens and works poorly lots of equipment that makes lots of electrical noise. One item it has trouble with is power supplies used to convert 120 to other voltages. Small ones like those wall chargers are fine. Large ones that would power large items, are not so fine. Especially if you have more than one on the same circuit. (Experience has proved this to me first hand.)
Also I believe that marine electrical code is different than codes used in our buildings and houses.
What a horrible tragedy. I cannot imagine losing any of my children at such a young age. My sympathies and prayers are with their families at this time. May the Lord help you through your darkest hour.
Well that effin sucks....
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these children. As a father, I can't imagine losing my child to such a preventable and unnecessary accident. May the Lord protect your little angles.
A little late for the lord to protect them, where was he when they needed him?
The Lord did protect his children. He gave them 2 parents to guide his children. Its not the Lords fault if the parents didnt tell the children not to swim in a marina. And also around a power meter box. If the parents told the children not to swim there whos fault is it. God only knows. I dont blame anyone!
Instead of blaming anyone we need to pray for the family left behind. Mine and many others Prayers are with you and your loss.
People can put a spin on anything, huh, lionofron. Now if those were gay people that were killed by electrical currents while swimming, the bigoted, self-righteous a-holes would have said it was the lords way of telling them their lifestyle is wrong, or some other B.S. But this was an accident, a tragic one at that and one that could have beeen pevented, god was not involved. You're on your own folks, you do have free will, use it.
Here's a novel idea: stop swimming in that lake.
Yes. That's certainly easier than FIXING THE PROBLEM!! Dumbass!
One was in Tennessee and the other in Missouri -- not just ONE problem.
Something cause it of course..once they find out the cause, big time law suits. Police taped the electric meter to the house boats it's a possible cause..the owners (electric company) of that have a lot of $$$$$$$.
My house is grounded..how do you ground a houseboat on water?
On a houseboat the neutral and ground are bonded at the meter panel.
Houseboats should be grounded that way. I am 99.99% certain the electrical shocks are occuring due to a bad ground or neutral at the meter, and a significant electrical load on the houseboat. I would imaging that the boat with the problem is then trying to ground itself through the water to an adjacent boat with a better ground, thereby electrifying the water. When a wet person would touch the two boats, they would become the path of least resistance and the current would flow through them.
Totally sad, and in an environment with water, inspections for damage and corrosion should be routine.
I am sure someone is going to be sued.
Here's a novel idea, Cameron: stop making stupid posts! You won't be any less stupid by keeping to yourself, of course, but at least the rest of us won't have to be exposed to it.
I feel so sad for the families. Children taken away at such a young age is truely heart breaking. Problem is, too many people with too much money buying Boats with no knowledge of how to use them or keep them repaired and safe. I am sure there was a current from these boats in the Lake operated by morons that know absolutely nothing about boating other than going out to buy one and throw it in the water. Water and electricity do not mix. All boats need to pass inspection before throwing them in a Lake, just like cars have to go through emissions!!!
Maybe we should wait until we know the cause of the electricity before lambasting random unknown people for causing it. Saying "I am sure there was a current from these boats..." means very little if you are not one of the people actively engaged in investigating this tragedy.
I agree with the devil's advocate here.... you calling the boat owners morons when you obviously have no idea yourself what you are talking about. Boats run on 12V which can not electricute you. prejudice is a real son of a ....
Boat owners endanger us with petroleum fumes, hooks, prop blades, noise, excessive speed, drunken operation, etc. As do personal watercraft owners. Marinas are toxic waste dumps. You can choke on the smell of petroleum distillates coming off those places. In general, lovers of gasoline toy recreation harm swimmers, rowboaters, kayakers, canoeists, etc., and they harm the water and habitats too. The police need to close the marina until the source of the electricity is eliminated. And the idea that it is "eels" causing this, that just shows how truly braindead some of you folks really are.
While most boat engines use 12V batteries to supply power to start them, once they are running they put out enough power to supply power to 110V wall sockets. You can plug in a hairdryer on most decent sized boats. If the outlets are not surge protected, or if there is an exposed wire somewhere, you can easily be electrocuted by swimming in water with 110V pumping through it. It's the same thing as putting a toaster in a bathtub. That's why most bathroom outlets now have surge protection built into them, so you don't get fried if you drop your hairdryer in the tub while you're standing in it (not smart, but I'm sure you've heard of it)
KarlStevens-2597445 said:
Boat owners endanger us with petroleum fumes, hooks, prop blades, noise, excessive speed, drunken operation, etc. As do personal watercraft owners. Marinas are toxic waste dumps. You can choke on the smell of petroleum distillates coming off those places. In general, lovers of gasoline toy recreation harm swimmers, rowboaters, kayakers, canoeists, etc., and they harm the water and habitats too.
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Gee Karl, Hate much? It also sounds like you are a real Luddite !
Jayfos, no, not all boats run on 12 volt. In a marina you most likely have a 30 or 50 amp power head where you plug in your power cord. This runs all the 120v systems on your boat while you are at dock, like A/C and battery chargers. This is most likely what is going on here, somewhere there is a bad connection or a short, or incorrect wiring. And 30 amps is twice the power you get out of a normal wall socket, which is generally 15 amps.
jg is right about the rest of it. Even off the dock, most decent sized boats have inverters which put out anywhere from 150 to 5,000 watts.
Exactly right Beach Sail, it's the same principle for those of us who have RV's. When under way (or when dry camping), batteries provide 12 volt DC power, while generators or inverters provide 120 volt AC power. When the boat is docked, or when the RV is plugged into "shore" power, you have a 30-50amp umbilical cord that is more than enough to knock you out of your shoes. Somehow, power from one or more of the boats, or the main power feed to a portion of the marina has come into contact with the water. It's got to be a significant amount of power though, because the volume of water in a marina is immense and would distribute the current in all directions.
As an atheist I understand why these people cling to their beliefs in a time of tragedy like this one. May not be logical to me but it makes perfect sense to them. Just not the time to be critical. Very lucky more did not die.
NIcely said. I can't think of anything worse than burying your child, it's 'against the rules.'
"just not the time to be critical" ... and some other time to attack someone's faith or belief in God (or whatever religion they might subscribe to) would be appropriate?
I don't understand why atheists almost feel compelled to pretty much go out of their way and argue with those who are religious, especially Christians.
Let religious people do their thing, and you do your thing. We have to share this world all the same, might as well just all get along.
It's more than obvious you're the type of atheist who "seeks out" arguments with Christians. It's bleeding through your post. Why couldn't you just make a comment saying "Very lucky more did not die" ... there was no reason for your comment about God/faith/religion or to mention the fact you're atheist ... it had absolutely nothing to do with the discussion, yet somehow you mention these things.
Stop arguing with Christians. Let them be Christians without all the "you guys are so damn WRONG!" ... "you're not being logical!" ... and obviously the tables could be turned. One could make the point that a non-belief in God etc. is illogical, and not logical. In actuality... one could very easily make the argument when talking about *faith* ... it takes just as much faith IF NOT MORE to believe we all came from NOTHING, rather than SOMETHING.
You want to say science is the end-all / know-all to everything. That couldn't be any further from the TRUTH. Science explains the how... it doesn't explain the why. It doesn't take a rocket scientist (pun-intended) to know which is the more important question (which is why - why > how).
...there was no reason for your comment about God/faith/religion or to mention the fact you're atheist
Just as there's no reason to mention God when a child gets electrocuted while swimming.
That's of course if that "SOMETHING" is a myth, then I would prefer it comming from nothing. To add a "god" to the equation adds nothing.
Legend,
I think it is, since I happen to be one, because people think that praying will fix something. To me all I see prayer as is inaction. Prayer never saved anyone nor will it ever save anyone. If you have two cars hurtling toward a cliff with no breaks the car in which everyone prays becomes the big ticket news item in the next day's paper while the one where everyone jumps out of the car get to live.
There are also those that use their faith as a tool for condoning bigotry like restricting Gay's to second class citizenry. Those are the ones that get me worked up the most because they think we should deny rights based on something written in a book that cannot be authenticated nor proven valid through proof.
My main goal is to get across that if you want to pray go right ahead but do not expect praying to achieve your desired outcome because it will not. For instance many people said they would pray for those in Japan after the March 11th disaster. Japan needed money more then prayers, they would have done much more good if they had donated to a relief fund.
Inaction never causes anything good to happen, ever. Praying to God to keep your car from going over a cliff, to help relieve you of your debts, to better your life and not actually doing anything about any of these is going to lead to a bad situation when nothing happens. As the Bible says, God does not help those that do not help themselves first.
Legend of Josh said, "I don't understand why atheists almost feel compelled to pretty much go out of their way and argue with those who are religious, especially Christians.
Let religious people do their thing, and you do your thing."
Sounds great Josh! You pretty much answered your own question about atheist's compulsion to argue, but let me help you along, just in case:
You keep your christian laws out of the bedrooms and personal relationships of consenting adults, keep your christian laws and protesters out of Planned Parenthood clinics, keep your debunked christian creationist hypothesis out of our public school science books, keep your christian clauses out of my Pledge of Allegiance, keep your christian prayers out of our public schools, keep your christian displays out of our public parks and court houses, keep your christian slogans off our money, insist on churches and christians (and all religions) to start paying their fair share of taxes, and finally, keep your irrational christian comments to yourself, and I will be happy to comply with doing my own thing.
Until then, I will cheerfully continue to point out your insanity and/or your malice.
Well said, Captain.
You non-believers think that the believers pray to have something happen instantly, and then if it does not, then it's a bust...there is no god? How about when it does?...and how about the fact we were not put here on this earth so God could fix every little BS thing a person may pray for? If this were the case everything would be perfect and the test of faith would be a bust in itself. That book you reference came from thousands of years ago, and the founding fathers of this country obviously believed strongly enough over 200 years ago to have it put in our Pledge of Allegiance and on our money. Most of the writings and quotes of those founding father's could not be more accurate of what they saw for us today. Some scarily accurate, and you continue to doubt the fact they believed we should believe? If you believe someone propagated this story of the oldest known bible regarding God say verses Joseph Smith from a short while back, you have another thing coming. We sure as hell did not emanate from the water ....and then apes....you may have, but not the majority.
Urmoma. You're delusional. Gods are imaginary. Evolution is a fact. You are off topic.
I am sorry for the families losses.
As the investigation continues however in order to prevent future tragedies, I know that the law enforcement has been focusing on the possible source of the electric current and believes it to come from the marina or a boat.
However, has anyone looked into the possibility of a freshwater electric eel? Often, there are cases where exotic species from home aquariums are "disposed" of into lakes and certain freshwater species of electric eels are large enough, and generate a current strong enough to kill a human (650 Volts). There are several documented cases and you can find out more about it here: http://animal.discovery.com/fish/river-monsters/electric-eel.html or if you prefer a video, here: http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/river-monsters/videos/the-heart-stopper-fish.htm .
Just because a eel can produce that much electricity doesn't mean they produce that much constantly, right?
It would have had to have been relatively constant as it continued to happen after other people jumped in to help the children.
Your Eel theory would be plausable but there would have to be a school of them as people were getting shocked as they tried to rescue the boys. Eels can shock, but have to recharge to shock again.
Actually, the eel can produce the electricity constantly and everyone would continue to be shocked. When the eel is at rest there is no generation of electricity, but when it starts to move it emits electrical impulses at the rate of about 25/sec. During intense feeding, discharges of up to 50/sec have been recorded. They also have been documented killing horses and cayman (similar to an alligator).
Most likely someone installed something without hiring a skilled professional. Probably no permit, no inpsection and didn't follow code. Now a kid is dead. When the officals figure it out it'd be great if there could be a followup article about it.God help the family. This is horrible.
a different version of this article mentioned that when someone finally cut power to the boats they were between, the charge went away...
Also, electricity is produced constantly whenever the eel moves. This would account for people still getting shocked while in the water. See this video on this page that talks more about it shows a Christmas tree is kept lit for the season entirely by an electric eel in Japan. http://www.zotzelectrical.com/ElectricEel.htm
Don't the boats run off their battery power? Dc current shouldn't be enough to kill. I don't know, just asking.
@riverman - DC current was not the problem, as you mentioned, it would not kill anyone. The article mentioned that a marina was nearby. Many boats and/or yachts, while docked at a marina, would hookup to AC current to run all of their electronics and/or charge their batteries. They also usually hookup to fresh water while docked at a marina.
Just to explain it better, yes, this type of condition where's there's stray current in the water is from AC electricity. But your statement that DC current shouldn't be enough to kill you is wrong. DC power can put out as many amps as AC power can. Your car battery is 12 volts DC and can put out over 1000 amps.
AC power has a field around it. To picture it, think of concentric circles emanating out from the source with the potential voltage dropping the further away it is from the source. Like a bulls eye being the source and the circles around it being the field around it.
In a marina you have boats hooked up to shore power, either 120 volts or 240 volts. The boats are all hooked up to the same ground of the shore power and have the same potential. If a boat has an improperly hooked up ground/neutral connection on board, or if someone is using a damaged extension cord or a cord with the ground prong cut off, stray current can travel from one boat to another via a through the hull fitting. There's other scenarios too. Just trying to keep it simple.
Again, think of the source of the stray current having concentric circles around it, like a bulls eye with the source in the middle. Because of the resistance of the water, the voltage drops the farther away from the source. Each circle or ring might have a difference of a few volts. When a swimmer gets into the water and is close enough to the source and the other boat that the stray voltage is going to, and he's horizontal in the water, his head will be at one potential, or closer to the ring of the bulls eye, and his feet will be at another ring further away, or vice versa. This small difference of potential he is cutting across will allow current to pass through his body, because the human body has less resistance than fresh water has.
It only takes .012 amps to cause muscles to contract and freeze up, like getting hit with a tazer, and he can drown. Or as little as .05 amps can cause the heart to stop.
The bottom line is, don't swim at marinas.
Also, electricity is produced constantly whenever the eel moves. This would account for people still getting shocked while in the water. See this video on this page that talks more about it shows a Christmas tree is kept lit for the season entirely by an electric eel in Japan. http://www.zotzelectrical.com/ElectricEel.htm
Some people will do anything to blame anything other than the obvious: humans and their petroleum toys.
Eels? Please, man, get a brain, ok?!!
" humans and their petroleum toys"
Oh, no not another enviromentalist liberal wacko! I will burn some extra gas today and turn my air conditioner on MAX cool today in your honor. I think I will leave some lights on at home today also.
One word: Lawsuit
Why? Why does this nation have to be so damned lawsuit happy? Why is that the first place you go?
Well if they don't sue the person whose improperly wired boat caused this tragedy, then they will be calling to have his dumb a$$ thrown in prison along side the monsters who rape and kill children and old folks. Because not only are we lawsuit happy, but we also love incarcerating people who make mistakes!
if you make a "mistake" that kills children, then you damn well sure ought to be incarcerated, twit!
This wasn't a preventable accident. It can only be preventable when you know what caused it, and they don't yet. It just is. Sometimes things happen, inexplicable things, that just tear your heart out. RIP, young ones, and God help the parents, because they're gonna need it.
No, that doesn't make this an unpreventable accident. Not knowing the cause ONLY means they don't know the cause. Maybe it was preventable and maybe it wasn't, they don't know, yet. Don't jump the gun.
Sorry Shaver, an electrical death of this type is almost always someones fault. It could be a number of things. Improper wiring by a person rather than a properly trainined electrician or perhaps something was not maintained properly. Its possible that no one is at fault but it is not likely.
What about rodents that chew through insulation making wiring leak current and/or cause electrical fires?
I'm not saying this is the cause of this recent tragedy, which we won't know for sure until the investigation is complete.
In the meantime, let's not jump the gun and point fingers until the facts are in.
My prayers are wih the family and friends
God love them and bless them and their famiies. What a horrible way to die and to have just enjoyed the cool water and a swim as we all have had as children and aduls. Innocent. How do you know if you are in danger? What signs do you look for..how were they to know and had the adults something would have been done long before they got in the water. I hope they they find comfort and love from their families and the Lord in the days to come. Such as tragic loss.
@HShaver
Look at the picture, electrical meter taped with EVIDENCE. 220 kills, most likely a break between the meter and the breaker box of the boat hook ups. Not enough to blow the fuse in the transformer but enough to shock people and cause them to drown.
Tragic. I can not even imagine wht these families are going through. Be strong!!!
This is a tragedy indeed, and I hope they're able to figure out the cause.
On a seperate note, however...why is it we are always so quick to start raising money for the family in stuations like this? Just like the elderly bus monitor whose fund raised over half a million dollars for her, why do we think raising money is so important? These families most likely aren't poor, they have recreational boats, so what purpose is there other than helping with funeral expenses? There are thousands of reputable, deserving non-profits around this country hurting for money to take care of the truly needy every hour of every day. I suggest we do a better job of making sure they're able to do their good work, rather than having the knee-jerk reactions to the heart-wrenching stories that are lucky enough to make it to the front pages. Just a thought.
I agree, they will get the money from the fundraiser, cash in the college fund or whatever else they had for the child, then hit the marina with a fat lawsuit. From a financial view, I have a feeling they will be just fine. Unfortunately money won't bring back the kid.
While I don't believe the electricity came from electric eels, I did some research and one or two of them could have generated enough to cause this tragedy. I think it is much more likely that, or both, of the houseboats were improperly grounded.
No GFCI? Hmm.
Beyond grief, there are ways of prevention, that grief cannot erase.
What are Regulations, Rules, Standards, and Requirements for except to protect public and property?
Google: electrical codes for water dock, pool and marina installations
Marina & Dock Power: Safe and Successful Cable Installations
http://www.generalcable.com/NR/rdonlyres/43D4457B-116E-467B-97FF-2F4261A2AB5A/0/MarinaDockPowerWireWizardSellSheet4_09.pdf
Marina fueling systems require a unique blend of knowledge and skills
http://www.petroleummarine.com/marina-fueling.html
Electric Shock Drowning
This became another incident of what we have termed electric shock drowning. We have catalogued over 100 similar accidents and this listing may be requested though the e-mail address at the end of this article.
http://www.iaei.org/magazine/2007/07/electric-shock-drowning/
Attention Electrical Engineers a simple safety test method is needed, a simple volt, amp meter should suffice connected to a drop line, insulated pole.
This should be in the public knowledge base, because of product liabilities laws accompanying products prohibit guaranteed of safety, hence no safety test kit product is available.
Quiz:
What are Regulations, Rules, Standards, and Requirements for except to protect public and property?
As we can see product liabilities laws are to protect the companies, but to some extent the unknowing public, however writing protections for companies and the public in the same regulation is more a source of the problem than the cure. A better way is needed to protect the public from company protections and from regulations by separating them into three categories: Company liabilities, Code Regulators, and Public information.
It one thing to keep useful products off the market to protect companies, and another to have national regulating bodies issue strict guidelines, then have civil codes requiring adherence to guidelines and finally an informed public.
The only big change here is that informed public need to know that is can be informed, without using children to test for electrical hazards.
Also if we could outlaw stupidity, the internet would vanish overnight.
"Also if we could outlaw stupidity, the internet would vanish overnight."
Umm, No that is quite wrong. The internet is an amazing tool that can be used to gain knowledge. Knowledge is the bane of ignorance and ignorance is the foundation of stupidity.
@Todd Actually stupidity seems to be the foundation of ignorance. But I do get what you're saying.
Well Andy they do seem to go hand in hand but I give people a bit more credit than you do. If they had the knowledge, thus lack of ignorance, I think most would be less stupid.
Willful ignorance is the basis for stupidity.
Perhaps that lake holds a giant, prehistoric eel akin to the Loch Ness Monster.
I think it's swell that these kids loved Jesus. MEANWHILE, who is looking into the loose current that killed them and making sure it doesn't happen again. This wasn't an act of god.
I love the way the comments section becomes a referendum on other people's comments/opinions. Opinions are molded from experiences and no two experiences are the same.
They seriously thought it was a snake? There are no electric snakes in lakes. Lol retards.
"Oh look, there is someone being electrocuted in a huge body of water. Let's jump in after them!" Should have read more about science.
Jordan, Great wise ass remarks. You should be so proud! I hate to break it to you but in the heat of the moment when your family and friends are in great distress in the water, 99% of people would not recognize what is happening. When some one is getting electrocuted on land and hanging onto a wire you immediately know what is going on, even then many people who know better just try to grab the person and help rather than trying cut the power or taking other appropriate action. In the water it really not obivious what is going on.
So now that you feel all superior to these people, tell your mother that you need a time out from internet use because it is damaging your common sense.
So Vox, why even bring it up? Wait I know, so you can feel superior to Christians with your Athiest beliefs.