RICHMOND COUNTY, GA (WFXG) - A community is reeling - and an investigation is underway - after a child was electrocuted while playing football last night at Bernie Ward Community Center. Tuesday, many people walked through Fleming Park, shedding tears, bringing flowers, remembering a life that was lost.
“He had a never quit attitude - no matter how many times he took bumps, he took bruises. He got right back up," said the child’s family friend Don Clark.
Melquan Kwame Robinson’s friends called him “Duck” and they said he died doing what he loved. Playing football with the Trinity Elite Titans.
Robinson climbed over a chain link fence to grab a football, a victim told responding deputies on the night of the incident. He was electrocuted while climbing back over the fence - according to the Richmond County Coroner’s Office, a live wire was reportedly touching that fence. He was taken to the Children’s Hospital of Augusta where he was pronounced dead. Robinson’s body was taken to the GBII lab for an autopsy Tuesday.
At least two of his friends, an 11-year-old and 13-year-old, were also injured as they rushed to try to save his life.
Clark told FOX 54, “Those young men went out there to try to help their friend. So they all are true testaments of what we all should aspire to be and do.”
It’s any parent’s worst nightmare and for parents like Antonio Allen, it hits close to home. He knew Melquan ...and his son and nephews play sports on this same field.
“It’s not unusual for a kid to be running and if they’re running too fast, they run off the play and touch the fence to stop them from running. This could have been any one of our kids,” Allen said.
He said someone needs to step up - to make sure nothing like this happens to another child. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this incident.
Mayor Hardie Davis issued a statement:
"The Augusta community is deeply saddened to learn of a tragic accident involving four Augustans at the Fleming Athletic Complex last evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all involved in this accident."
We ask Augustans to stand together to extend our condolences and embrace the family of Melquan Kwame Robinson with love during this sudden and unexpected loss.
A thorough investigation is now underway.
FOX 54 reached out to Georgia Power for a statement about the incident.
Georgia Power’s condolences and sympathies are with the individuals and their families following last night’s tragic event at Fleming Athletic Complex. Our preliminary investigation indicates that Georgia Power does not control or maintain the voltage that energized the fence at the complex. We will continue to work with local officials on their investigation.
Georgia Power
The family has created a memorial fund on GoFundMe.
Augusta Recreation and Parks Department canceled games scheduled for Fleming Park for the remainder of the week. The remainder of the season will be moved to Diamond Lakes.
They’ve also canceled a game at Eisenhower Tuesday night.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at Fleming Park.
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