A young mother has died in a horrific bathroom accident after being electrocuted while using her mobile phone as it charged beside the bath.
Sophie Roome, 31, was discovered by her flatmate in their West London home after the fatal incident that serves as a chilling warning about the dangers of mixing electricity and water.
The Fatal Moment
Emergency services rushed to the property in Fulham on September 9th after receiving reports of a cardiac arrest. Despite paramedics' desperate attempts at resuscitation, Ms Roome was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation revealed the tragic sequence of events:
- Ms Roome was charging her iPhone using an extension lead
- The phone and charger were within reach of the bath
- She suffered immediate cardiac arrest from electrocution
- No faults were found with the bathroom's electrical installation
A Life Cut Short
Sophie Roome, described by friends as "bright and beautiful," worked as a senior manager at BP. Her family expressed their devastation, calling her death "completely unexpected and heartbreaking."
"She had so much to look forward to and will be desperately missed by all her family and many friends," her family said in a statement.
Critical Safety Warnings
Coroner Anton van Dellen issued a stark warning following the inquest: "The public must be made aware of the risks of using electrical devices near water."
Electrical safety experts emphasise that even modern chargers and phones can become lethal when combined with water. The investigation confirmed that the electric current travelled through Ms Roome's body, causing immediate cardiac arrest.
Essential Safety Precautions
- Never use electrical devices while in the bath or shower
- Keep chargers and cables away from water sources
- Use wireless charging stations well away from bathrooms
- Install RCD safety devices in bathrooms
- Ensure all electrical equipment is properly certified
This tragic incident serves as a devastating reminder that modern convenience can come with deadly consequences when basic electrical safety rules are ignored.
