Family heartbroken as girl, 13, electrocuted in freak accident while helping father bring down Christmas decorations from attic
- Georgia Marshall was holding stepladder steady for her father Richard, 54
- Live cable fell down from the attic and touched the ladder, giving shock
- Georgia's sister Amy Bennett, 29, said her family was devastated by grief
- She said: 'My mum can barely speak, my dad is blaming himself'
- The family of seven in Barry, south Wales, is known for love of Christmas
By HARRIET ARKELL PUBLISHED: 13:23 GMT, 5 December 2013 | UPDATED: 01:36 GMT, 6 December 2013
Georgia Marshall, 13, was electrocuted at home in Barry, south Wales, as she helped her father get Christmas decorations down from the attic
Like many children excited at the thought of Christmas, Georgia Marshall couldn’t wait to help her parents deck out the house.With the decorations stored in the attic, the 13-year-old followed her father upstairs and offered to hold on to a step ladder while he rummaged around for the tinsel and lights.But all the joy of the run up to Christmas was about to turn to tragedy.In a freak accident, Georgia – one of seven siblings – was electrocuted when a live cable fell down from the loft door and touched the ladder she was gripping.Her older sister Amy, 29, said the family had been devastated by Georgia’s death.
She added: ‘My mum can barely speak. My dad is blaming himself, my two youngest siblings don’t want Christmas.’ Georgia’s mother Glenda, 49, said on Facebook: ‘My beautiful light became a shining star today. Love you forever and will miss you till the day I die. My amazing Georgia. Words cannot say how I feel.‘This is so hard for us. I won’t ever get over this, all your thoughts and help are much appreciated by all of us.’
Georgia, a keen rider and dog lover, was helping her father Richard, 54, as he looked for their box of Christmas decorations in the attic on Saturday when the accident happened.The Marshalls, from Barry in South Wales, are known for having big family Christmases and the tree in their lounge last year was festooned with tinsel and baubles.
Georgia was a keen rider and dog-lover, and came from a family known for their love of Christmas
Georgia, who enjoyed riding, shared her family's love of Christmas - this is their tree from last year
A South Wales Police spokesman said: ‘Shortly after 11am on Saturday police officers were called to an address in Barry following reports of the death of a 13-year-old girl.‘Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family at this tragic time.’Neighbour Jean Mayor described Georgia as a ‘bubbly and cheerful’ teenager and her family as ‘incredibly close’.Georgia was a pupil at all-girls school Bryn Hafren Comprehensive in Barry.Headmaster Phil Whitcombe said: ‘Georgia was one of our more gifted pupils and always hard working and polite. She was a lovely girl.‘We will miss her very much and all our thoughts and prayers are with her family.’An inquest will be opened and adjourned later this week.
Georgia Marshall, 13, was electrocuted at home in Barry, south Wales, as she helped her father get Christmas decorations down from the attic
Like many children excited at the thought of Christmas, Georgia Marshall couldn’t wait to help her parents deck out the house.With the decorations stored in the attic, the 13-year-old followed her father upstairs and offered to hold on to a step ladder while he rummaged around for the tinsel and lights.But all the joy of the run up to Christmas was about to turn to tragedy.In a freak accident, Georgia – one of seven siblings – was electrocuted when a live cable fell down from the loft door and touched the ladder she was gripping.Her older sister Amy, 29, said the family had been devastated by Georgia’s death.
She added: ‘My mum can barely speak. My dad is blaming himself, my two youngest siblings don’t want Christmas.’ Georgia’s mother Glenda, 49, said on Facebook: ‘My beautiful light became a shining star today. Love you forever and will miss you till the day I die. My amazing Georgia. Words cannot say how I feel.‘This is so hard for us. I won’t ever get over this, all your thoughts and help are much appreciated by all of us.’
Georgia, a keen rider and dog lover, was helping her father Richard, 54, as he looked for their box of Christmas decorations in the attic on Saturday when the accident happened.The Marshalls, from Barry in South Wales, are known for having big family Christmases and the tree in their lounge last year was festooned with tinsel and baubles.
Georgia was a keen rider and dog-lover, and came from a family known for their love of Christmas
Georgia, who enjoyed riding, shared her family's love of Christmas - this is their tree from last year
A South Wales Police spokesman said: ‘Shortly after 11am on Saturday police officers were called to an address in Barry following reports of the death of a 13-year-old girl.‘Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family at this tragic time.’Neighbour Jean Mayor described Georgia as a ‘bubbly and cheerful’ teenager and her family as ‘incredibly close’.Georgia was a pupil at all-girls school Bryn Hafren Comprehensive in Barry.Headmaster Phil Whitcombe said: ‘Georgia was one of our more gifted pupils and always hard working and polite. She was a lovely girl.‘We will miss her very much and all our thoughts and prayers are with her family.’An inquest will be opened and adjourned later this week.
