The holiday season can be a perfect time for a quick family getaway. Many people have time off work, and schools typically close, making for a great opportunity to take a vacation. Luciana Klein Helfstein, 39, thought so and took her 11-year-old son, Arthur Klein Helfstein Alves, to Maragogi, a popular resort on the Caribbean coast of Brazil. Helfstein traveled with Arthur and her partner to the resort from their home in São Paolo. Sadly, they never returned home because of a freak accident. The pair were both electrocuted in a resort pool, and investigators are doing their best to determine how such a tragedy occurred.
When Helfstein and her unnamed boyfriend of five years arrived at Maragogi with Arthur, they discovered the electric shower inside their room didn’t work, the US Sun reported. The mother and son decided to take a swim in a rooftop pool. When the man went to join them a short time later, he found both Helfstein and Arthur unresponsive in the water.
Several guests helped him pull the pair from the water. Emergency responders tried life-saving measures and took Helfstein and Arthur to an emergency unit for help. Sadly, the staff declared them dead after arrival. Per the Sun, the Institute of Legal Medicine in Maceio confirmed the pair died from electrocution and not drowning.
Maragogi officials reportedly shared their sadness about the death and sent condolences to the victims’ families. Per Maragogi News, the deaths came as a shock and heartache for loved ones.
“It’s been very difficult for us, her friends, and especially for the family,” a friend told the news outlet.
According to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission, electrocution in swimming pools is not common but can be deadly. In case of an electrical shock, it’s important to get out of the water.
“Move away from the source of the shock,” the commission suggests. “Get out of the water. If possible, exit without using a metal ladder. Touching a metal ladder may increase the risk of shock.”
How scary for this family and anyone staying at that resort. We hope they figure this out quickly and the remaining guests stay safe.
