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19-year-old dies after being shocked by electrical current in water near family's boat at Put-in-Bay

Posted at 1:10 PM, Jun 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-19 10:22:57-04

PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio -- A 19-year-old Xavier University student died Friday after being shocked by an electric current in the water near his family's boat at Put-in-Bay.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Evan Currie's family docked their boat -- a 33-foot Sea Ray Sundancer -- at Miller Marina around 6:30 p.m. and plugged the shore power into the boat.

A short time later, the dog fell into the water and began to struggle. The father, Jeffrey Currie, jumped into the water and began to struggle as well.

The two sons then jumped in to help.

The mother was still on board as bystanders instructed her to unplug the shore power. As soon as she unplugged, the electrical current in the water stopped. Everyone got back on board, but Evan was unresponsive and convulsing.

According to an ODNR spokesperson, he died at the scene.

ODNR had an independent electrician investigate the dock Friday but found no problems. An inspection of the boat was expected Saturday.

The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft is leading the investigation and has possession of the boat and associated equipment to assist.

Xavier spokeswoman Kelly Leon said the university was in talks with Currie's family about a memorial.

Though Evan's death is still being investigated, a 15-year-old girl died under similar circumstances last year in Alabama. Authorities said she died from electric shock drowning.

Electric shock drowning happens when an alternating current spreads through the water, causing skeletal muscular paralysis and making the victim unable to swim.