Darwin says, "Accepted into the Archive."

Charles Kneen Keggin seemed to have everything going for him when he flew out to Jakarta to visit his family.

The 18-year-old had just successfully completed his International Baccalaureate at King William's College in the Isle of Man, writing in the sixth form yearbook of his plan to retire by the age of 30.

Unfortunately for Charlie, as he was known to family and friends, his expensive education seems not to have dwelt upon the subject of electricity, dangers of.

Or perhaps Charlie dozed off during that particular lecture, thinking of all the ways he would soon be putting his brilliance to good use to make his quick fortune and retire?

Whatever, when he found himself with one foot in the swimming pool in their backyard, and then saw a cement box full of electrical wires, Charlie decided it would be a good idea to pick them up and twist them all together and see what happens.

Charlie's father, a geophysicist who presumably benefited from a more traditional education, was only able to free his son by grabbing hold of his shorts. Alas, it was too late for Charlie.

At the inquest on the Isle of Man, the Coroner stated he was sure Charlie would have succeeded in his retirement plan, whilst his former Headmaster said he would have had a bright future ahead of him.

It seems Charlie was a real live wire!

Indonesia tragedy: Teen died of electrocution

CHARLIE KEGGIN: The former King William's College student had just successfully completed his International Baccalaureate and planned to retire by the time he was 30

Published Date: 03 September 2008

A TEENAGER electrocuted in Jakarta planned to retire by the time he was 30, an inquest heard. Charles Kneen Keggin, known as Charlie, died at the Global Doctor International Medical Centre in Jakarta on August 24. The 18-year-old's body was repatriated to the Isle of Man last week and an inquest into his death held on Tuesday at Douglas courthouse.

>> Teenager killed while visiting parents in Indonesia

In a statement the teenager's father, James Keggin, said Charlie had one foot in the pool in their back yard in South Jakarta, Indonesia, when out of curiosity he decided to investigate what was inside a cement box at the edge of the pool. Charlie reached into the box, took hold of some electrical wires and started to fiddle with them, the inquest heard.

He was immediately electrocuted and unable to let go and when Mr Keggin tried to free Charlie he received an electric shock.

Mr Keggin, a geophysist for BP, pulled Charlie free from the cables and the water by grabbing hold of his shorts. Along with a medic from the Global Doctor International Medical Centre, Mr Keggin spent 30 minutes trying to revive Charlie at the scene. Further attempts were made when he arrived at the medical centre but to no avail and Charlie was pronounced dead.

Indonesian police visited the scene and following an external examination of the body were satisfied an internal autopsy wasn't required and that Charlie's body could be repatriated.

Dr Sajid Nasir, of the Global Doctor International Medical Centre, said the cause of death was due to cardio-pulminary arrest and electrocution. He issued a death certificate to that effect and described the death as accidental.

Following the repatriation of Charlie's body, a post-mortem examination was carried out at Noble's Hospital, Braddan, by Dr Christopher Clague on August 28.

He said death was due to electrocution as a consequence of external grounding of current through the body while partially immersed in water.

The inquest heard that the voltage of the current supplied to the jacuzzi box was likely to have been 240 volts.

Deputy Coroner of Inquests Alastair Montgomerie praised the valiant efforts of Mr Keggin in attempting to save his son.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, he said: 'While I appreciate that no amount of words can suffice, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the deceased's family and friends for the great loss they have suffered.

'The word tragedy is sometimes overused - not in this case. Charlie, as he was known, had just successfully completed his International Baccalaureate at King William's College and has his whole life ahead of him. He was very popular with both fellow pupils and staff. in the sixth-form year book for 2008 Charlie wrote that he intended to retire by the age of 30 - I have little doubt that he would have succeeded.'

Following the inquest, the outgoing principal of King William's College, Philip John, paid tribute. Mr John said: 'This is a huge tragedy, which has deeply saddened and shocked everyone at King William's College. Charlie was a very bright boy, and had a very bright future ahead of him. 'Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time - it must be very sad for all of them.'

Charlie, of Corlea Road, Ballasalla, leaves parents James and Sarah, siblings Thomas and Georgie and grandparents Ken and Jean Cooper and Evelyn Keggin. His funeral takes place tomorrow (Friday) at 11am at the Chapel of St Thomas, King William's College, Castletown, followed by internment at Rushen Churchyard.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the World Land Trust.

www.justgiving.com/charliekeggin

Submitted on 09/20/2008

Submitted by: Paul Mather
Reference: Manx Independent, 'Father battles in vain to save his son's life' pages 1 & 3, 05/09/2008

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Reaching into a bunch of unidentified wires is pretty darned stupid in its own right. Doing it while standing in a pool is downright stupid. Thanks, Paul. Mods, here's a link to an article: http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Indonesia-tragedy-Teen-died-of.4452468.jp

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Wires(unknown charge) + water = ZZZAAAPPP!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Paul!

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