SOUTHERN LEYTE, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 04, 2008) – A utility man working on an electrical post cheated death after he survived electrocution in an accident in Maasin City in southern Leyte in central Philippines.
The 28-year old Herbert B. Madredijo, of the Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative, suffered third degree burns on his head and body and doctors said a miracle had saved the man from death.
Madredijo was working to install an “under belt” on the post in the village of Aguinaldo when his head touched the 7,600-volt transmission line last month.
The man was also saved from the fall by his safety belt, witnesses said.
Madredijo was rushed to the Salvacion Oppus-Yñiguez Memorial Provincial Hospital for emergency treatment. He arrived unconscious and badly burned.
Doctors wrapped his head and face, right arm and left foot with bondages to protect him from infections, said Madredijo’s elder sister, Cherry Mallang.
Mallang said after 4 days stay at the hospital, her brother was transferred to the Perpetual Succor Hospital in Cebu City where specialists examined him. Madredijo later returned to Maasin City where he is now recuperating.
In an interview at hi hospital bed, Madredijo told the Mindanao Examiner that he was lucky to have survived the electrocution. “It was really a miracle and I thanked God for this second life,” he said.
At the SOYMPH, he said he lost consciousness after his head accidentally touched the transmission line. “I just woke up at the hospital. Don’t know what happened after that surged of electricity in my head and body,” he said.
In Cebu, Dr. Joselito Capoy said he removed pieces of burnt flesh from Madredijo’s head. “Your brother is fortunate that his brain was not affected. This is a rare case”, the doctor told Mallang.
But doctors had amputated Madredijo’s right arm which was badly damaged by the surge of electricity, she said.
“What happened to him is a miracle. This is now his second life”, the doctor told Mallang. (Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)
