The quick thinking of 13-year-old Blade Tilley last week saved his 12-year-old sibling, Casey, from certain electrocution.
The two brothers, widely known for their performance in motocross racing, were playing near the swimming pool on Friday (25/11) at their home in Welkom when tragedy was averted.
Casey jumped into the swimming pool, and as he proceeded to then climb out, he grabbed onto a steel frame that had been placed near the swimming pool to encase an electrical cord that aids in pumping water to a nearby water tank.
“The wire is not exposed, but general wear and tear around the pipe casing caused it to become exposed,” said Vanessa Tilley, the siblings’ grandmother.
She says Casey was shocked and could not get his hand off the electrical cord.
“He says he just saw white and blue stripes and lost his consciousness at one stage.”
Vanessa says Blade held his cool, ran to the power box and switched it off. He then ran to his brother and assisted him.
“I first thought Casey was joking and then I saw his body jerking and heard him make funny noises,” said Blade.
Casey sustained burns to his hand and his body spasmed after the shock. He also experienced stiffness in his entire body for a coulpe of days. He completed his last two exam papers verbally.
The Tilley brothers, sons of Vickey and Jared Tilley, both earned their Protea colours in motocross racing after representing South Africa in Uganda in August this year. They are both Free State champions in their respective motocross classes.
Vanessa says it is a miracle that Blade thought sensibly in a traumatic moment and saved his little brother from electrocution.
“Thank goodness he did not touch Casey, but ran to turn the power source off.”
The wire is not exposed, but general wear and tear around the pipe casing caused it to become exposed
– Vanessa Tilley
