Kollam: A 15-year-old boy died of electric shock while playing football in Kundara here on Thursday. The deceased was identified as M. S. Arfan, a native of Nava Kairali Nagar, Keralapuram, and son of Sajan Hilal Muhammad.

The tragic incident happened on Thursday around 6 p.m.

Arfan, who was chasing the football that went outside their playing field, received an electric shock from the electricity pole nearby. It is suggested that he may have received the shock from the rod that was enclosed over the electric pole used to switch on street lamps.

Though neighbors and friends rushed him to a private hospital in Keralapuram and later to a private medical college hospital in Kollam, his life could not be saved. Kundara police have registered a case of unnatural death and have begun an investigation.

The victim was a Class student at St. Vincent's Convent School. He is survived by his father, mother Hamlatt, and siblings Asifa and Afira.

Cause of death: KSEB's unscientific switching system
It is identified that the cause of Arfan's death was the unscientific switching system of KSEB. Though almost all the streetlights are operated with automatic timers everywhere, in some places, they often keep the old rod system at the request of Gram Panchayat members. Even if that’s the case, they are obliged to install the fuse unit at a certain height and keep it insulated, which in some situations is neglected. This is what took the life of this 15-year-old boy. The switching wires were left open at the street light pole, which electrocuted Arfan.