Student Dies in School After Alleged Electrocution at Water Fountain in Petrolina

Otávio Soares Macedo, an 18-year-old student, died on Tuesday, August 28th, inside the Padre Manoel de Paiva Netto State Reference High School in Petrolina, Pernambuco. His family, friends, and classmates attended his wake on Wednesday, August 29th. Relatives stated that Otávio's death is believed to have occurred after he received an electric shock from one of the school's water fountains. The official cause of death has not yet been released by authorities, but a forensic report is expected within 15 days. Otávio's sister, Michele Vitória Soares, described him as a healthy young man with no prior medical conditions. She mentioned seeing a video from the school that appears to show Otávio being shocked at the water fountain, suggesting it as the likely cause. His great-aunt, Marinalva Alves Soares, recounted that the student's father was informed by the school, initially told Otávio had a shock but was not in serious condition. However, upon arriving at the school, the father found Otávio in a critical state and undergoing resuscitation efforts. The Pernambuco State Secretariat of Education confirmed that school staff administered first aid and immediately called emergency services. Despite receiving medical attention, Otávio did not survive. Emergency medical services reported that upon arrival, the patient was in cardiopulmonary arrest, and resuscitation efforts for 45 minutes were unsuccessful. The Civil Police have opened an investigation into the incident, with an inquiry led by the 213th Precinct of Petrolina. Otávio, a third-year student and a monitor at the school, was remembered by his sister as a joyful and affectionate individual who enjoyed teaching.