Lorenzo Lopez: 8yo boy electrocuted by phone charger in near fatal accident, suffers severe burns
An eight-year-old boy is recovering after being severely electrocuted by his phone charger while lying in bed, leaving him with severe burns across multiple areas of his body.
On November 20, Lorenzo Lopez fell asleep in his family’s Wichita, Kansas, home with his phone loosely plugged into an extension cord near his bed.
During the night, he rolled over, causing the necklace to slip into the gap and ignite instantly. While being shocked, Lorenzo felt intense heat on his neck and tried to scream, but couldn’t.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Despite the agonising pain, he managed to rip the necklace off and call for help, even as his shirt caught fire.
Lorenzo’s mother, Courtney Pendleton, says her son’s quick thinking in pulling off his necklace saved his life.
“The other hospital, the lady had told him, had he not pulled that chain off, he would have been electrocuted to death,” Ms Pendleton told local news station KWCH.
“So he basically saved his own life.”
Lorenzo detailed the terrifying accident to the outlet.
“It was just scary. I almost thought I was going to die,” he said. “I guess I saved myself, and I’m happy about that.”
Ms Pendleton shared graphic images of Lorenzo’s injuries on GoFundMe, showing severe burns to his neck, hands, chest, torso and arms.
Lorenzo is now recovering from skin graft surgery, which required his entire head to be shaved to take skin from his scalp, as well as his legs and feet.
Doctors expect him to remain in hospital for at least two weeks.
“While he’s in a lot of pain right now, he’s fighting through every moment with so much courage,” Ms Pendleton wrote on the fundraising page.
“This has been such a heavy and emotional journey, but he’s holding on with strength that inspires all of us.”
Ms Pendleton is now warning other parents of the dangers of sleeping next to charging cords to prevent similar tragedies.
“Parents, please, please don’t let your kids sleep with electronics or charging cords on their bed. Its not worth the risk.”
