A heartbreaking incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by combining water, electricity, and portable electronics. 14-year-old Madison Coe, a smart and loving girl, lost her life in a tragic accident while relaxing in a bath. Madison’s family has decided to share her last text message and photo to raise awareness and prevent similar accidents, especially among teenagers.
On that fateful night, Madison, like many young people, brought her phone into the bathroom to charge while she unwound in the bath. She snapped a photo of her setup and sent it to a friend, showing her phone plugged into an extension cord near the bathtub.
Tragically, this was the last anyone heard from Madison. A police investigation concluded that she was electrocuted on July 9, 20XX, in her father’s Lovington, New Mexico, home. The incident unfolded when Madison’s phone charger was connected to an extension cord, which was in turn connected to a non-grounded bathroom wall outlet. Although initial reports suggested Madison’s Samsung 6s Edge fell into the tub, evidence later revealed that the phone never came into contact with the water.
It’s believed that Madison took precautions to keep the cords dry, but she likely touched a frayed part of the extension cord while still in the tub, resulting in the tragedy. A burn mark on her hand suggested where she may have grabbed the frayed cord.
Madison’s family hopes that sharing her story will help raise awareness, particularly among teenagers, about the grave risks posed by combining water, electricity, and portable electronics. Madison’s stepmother emphasized that bathrooms are meant for showers and personal time, and phones should not be brought into this potentially hazardous environment. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder that electricity and water should never mix.
In response to this heartbreaking incident, friends and family have taken to social media to spread the word about the dangers of texting or using electronic devices in the bathtub. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends the installation of GFCI-protected outlets to safeguard against electric shocks and urges regular testing of these outlets to ensure their effectiveness.
Madison Coe, a bright girl who loved basketball and playing the tuba, was a cherished member of her family. Her father, Logan Coe, spoke of the profound loss, calling her “my everything.” Her stepmother lamented the oversight of not micromanaging teenagers, emphasizing the importance of vigilance even in seemingly safe situations.
As this heartbreaking story unfolds, it serves as a poignant reminder to prioritize safety and awareness, especially when it comes to technology and water in our daily lives.