LANSING, Mich. — A tragic accident unfolded Tuesday evening in Leslie when two young boys were electrocuted while playing near a power line, resulting in the death of one child and hospitalization of the other.
The Leslie Fire Department responded to the scene on Worthington Place Drive at approximately 6 p.m. after reports of a downed power line and a small grass fire. Fire officials confirmed the boys came into contact with the live electrical wire, causing the electrocution.
One boy succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while the second was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police reported.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the grass fire sparked by the fallen line and remained on site to prevent any further hazards. Three fire engines and a significant number of emergency personnel were dispatched to manage the situation.
Consumers Energy issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life and confirmed that power had been temporarily shut off in the area to ensure safety. The outage affected approximately 488 customers near Woodworth Elementary School. Service was expected to be restored overnight between midnight and 4 a.m.
Brian Wheeler of Consumers Energy said, “We are deeply saddened to confirm that one young person lost their life and another was injured after coming into contact with a live electric line. Our thoughts are with the families during this difficult time, and we hope for a full recovery of the injured child.”
Authorities have not released the names or ages of the children involved, and details regarding how the power line became downed are still under investigation.
Residents in the area are urged to exercise caution around electrical equipment and report any hazards to local authorities immediately.
