Five young men instantly lost their lives while trying to mount a billboard with a metal frame in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday, August 21.
The tragedy occurred at Rumuosi Community in Obio/Akpor LGA of the state. At least four other persons were hospitalized at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) as a result of the incident.
According to reports, the victims were private businessmen who were contracted to mount a billboard for a Church along the Rumuosi axis, near the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover.
The team of nine men were said to have lifted the gigantic metal billboard when the frame made contact with the overhead high-tension electricity cable, passing live current into the bodies of those holding the billboard.
Five of the men were instantly electrocuted, while four others were said to be battling for survival.
