An Irish teenager who died on a family holiday to Greece may have been electrocuted by faulty shower equipment, authorities have said.
Alex McKee, 17, died last Sunday at a residential property on the island of Kimolos, where his mother is from. The student had been on holiday with his family when the accident happened.
His body was taken to the Greek mainland, where a post-mortem at the Piraeus Forensic Medical Service confirmed electrocution as the cause of death. Greek authorities have suggested this may have been caused by faulty shower equipment.
Mother felt electrical sensation
A doctor based in Kimolos, Agapitos Xanthis, told how Alex's mother had also felt an electrical sensation while showering at the property, adding "we are lucky there weren't two deaths as a result of electrocution."
A Greek police inquiry is now looking into the building's water heater to locate a possible wiring fault, according to The Guardian. An officer said a fusebox at the property may have had an issue with a safety valve. An electrical installation certificate reportedly signed by an electrician in 2024 is also being investigated.
Young scientist award winner
Alex was part of an award-winning Irish Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition project, which gained national acclaim earlier this year, reports the Irish Mirror. Alongside two classmates, the teenager developed 'Bumblebee,' a communication system for people with nonverbal autism. The project won first place in its category, as well as a Special Award from the Ombudsman for Children's Office.
Cork North TD Colm Burke, who met Alex just months ago during the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, told Cork Beo how the tragic death of such a bright and talented young man has devastated the community. "It's extremely sad to hear that someone so young has died so tragically," he said. "He was a really talented young person with his whole life and huge career ahead of him. Earlier this year, he put a huge effort into getting to that stage in the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition and was awarded for his efforts. It is devastating news for his family, the community and his school colleagues."
Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs is assisting following the tragedy. A spokesperson for the Department said: "The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of this case and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases."
