Elijah Belden's family posted this photo on Facebook he suffered a serious electric shock at his backyard birthday party. (Photo courtesy Facebook)
TEMECULA (CBSLA.com/AP) — A Riverside County boy hospitalized after suffering a serious electric shock at his backyard birthday party is awake and breathing on his own.
KNX 1070’s Tom Reopelle reports Elijah Belden’s parents announced Sunday that their son had all breathing tubes removed and was speaking with family members.
The family posted a photo on Facebook of the 10-year-old awake with the following message: “Smiling so big we could all eat a banana sideways. Praise the Lord. Elijah has been extubated tonight.”
Elijah — who celebrated his birthday last Monday — had been in a medically induced coma after being shocked Oct. 4.
The boy apparently touched a metal patio cover support that had somehow become electrified. There was a string of electric lights on the patio cover that the family suspects might have been the cause, according to The Press-Enterprise.
The newspaper says tests show no damage to Elijah’s heart or brain.
The family was celebrating the birthday early while the weather was still warm enough for a pool party.
