WASHINGTON, Oct 24, (Agencies) In a devastating incident at the Harbourside Place shopping center in Jupiter, Florida, one person lost their life, and four others sustained injuries due to an electrocution that occurred at a fountain. The incident unfolded on a Sunday at approximately 3:30 pm when a distressed child was spotted in the fountain, prompting a concerned call to the Jupiter Police Department and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Bystanders nearby rushed to aid the child, unaware of the lurking danger of an electric shock in the water.

A total of eight individuals were assessed for injuries in the wake of the incident. Among them, three people declined medical treatment, while two adults were promptly transported to nearby hospitals. Three children, however, were in more critical condition and required transfer to trauma centers.

In a Facebook news release, the Jupiter Police Department officially reported that "five individuals sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals." Tragically, one of the adult victims succumbed to their injuries after arriving at the hospital, confirming the gravity of the situation. The other adult victim was fortunate enough to be discharged from the Jupiter Medical Center, while the three children are still undergoing recovery at St. Mary's Medical Center.

Captain Tom Reyes of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue commended the swift response from both the Jupiter Police Department and civilians on the scene, stating, "When we arrived on the scene, the Jupiter Police Department and civilians were treating patients when we got here, so they got here very quickly, and the community and Jupiter police were also involved in that, and that was a good thing."

Nick Mastroianni, CEO of Harbourside, expressed his sorrow, emphasizing the tragic nature of the incident, and urged the community to unite in support of the victims and their families. He stated, "This is a tragedy. Our focus is on the people involved and their families. We ask the community to join us in praying for them."

Harbourside Place clarified that the incident occurred in a restricted fountain area, rather than the splash pad open to the public. The restricted area had posted warnings against climbing or swimming, making the incident all the more heartbreaking.