A fatal electrocution incident in Dartmouth on Guyana’s Essequibo Coast has claimed the life of a 28-year-old resident and left two young children receiving medical observation, local law enforcement confirmed Tuesday. The tragedy unfolded late Monday afternoon at the home of Kelton Benn, a resident of Ptolemy Avenue in Dartmouth, who was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the accident.
According to a formal statement released by the Guyana Police Force, preliminary investigations into the incident have mapped out a clear sequence of events. Benn had left his home to use an outdoor outhouse located at the rear of his property, and when he did not return after an extended period, a concerned family member launched a search. The relative found Benn unresponsive and motionless on the ground beside the property’s chicken coop, close to an unsecured electrical wire that had been run from the main residential building to the coop months earlier to power lighting for the structure.
Emergency responders were immediately called to the property, and Benn was rushed to the nearby Lima Regional Hospital for urgent care. However, on-duty doctors at the facility confirmed he was already dead upon arrival, marking the official time of death at approximately 5:30 PM Monday.
In addition to the fatal outcome for Benn, two local children – a 9-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl – were also affected by the energized wire. Police reports indicate the pair were found leaning against the chicken coop structure, visibly shaking after coming into contact with the live electrical line. They were also transported to the Lima Regional Hospital, where medical teams admitted them for ongoing observation and monitoring to rule out hidden internal injuries from the electrical shock.
Following the discovery of the hazard, Guyana Power and Light Inc., the country’s primary electrical utility provider, was notified immediately. Utility crews attended the scene within hours to disconnect the unpermitted wiring and eliminate the ongoing safety risk to residents in the area. Police have not yet announced any further investigations into potential negligence or safety violations related to the installation of the informal wiring, and the incident remains under active review as of Tuesday’s update.