A devastating electrical accident on Christmas Eve has claimed the life of Simon Magislin, a 53-year-old Haitian handyman and father of seven residing in The Bahamas. The tragic incident occurred on Wilton Street as Magislin attempted to harvest breadfruit using a metal pole that inadvertently contacted overhead power lines.
According to police reports, emergency responders arrived at the scene following reports of an unresponsive male. Investigation revealed that the iron pole Magislin employed had struck a live electrical wire, resulting in immediate electrocution. The Haitian national had resided in The Bahamas for approximately three to four years, working primarily in maintenance and repair services.
Neighbor Reynold Simon, who witnessed the aftermath, described the sequence of events: “The door was open. I was seated inside that small front shack when the impact occurred. Upon investigation, I discovered him lying motionless on the ground.” Simon speculated that the metal implement may have slipped from Magislin’s grasp due to his attire of shorts, potentially compromising his grip and control.
Family members disclosed that despite recently securing more consistent employment, Magislin had expressed significant financial anxieties regarding Christmas provisions for his seven children, all residing in Haiti. Cousin Odilet Lepin revealed their final conversation approximately two weeks prior centered exclusively on economic hardships: “Everything was great health-wise. He wasn’t sick. He just was crying about how Christmas coming on the way and he had no money. That’s the only thing we discussed—how circumstances were genuinely difficult.”
The scene following the accident was marked by profound grief, with Magislin’s brother reportedly rendered speechless by emotional distress. Local authorities have ordered an autopsy to conclusively determine the precise cause of death, though preliminary evidence strongly suggests accidental electrocution.
