Gaze of a Tragic Night in Carlet
An 18-year-old Danish student died in the early hours of today in Carlet, a town in the Valencian Community, after climbing a utility pole. He suffered a shock that caused instant death. Emergency services carried out advanced CPR attempts, but were unsuccessful. The victim was part of a group of Danish students who had gathered at a farewell dinner for their exchange program, held at a country house near the Sant Bernat hermitage. All participants required psychological support after the incident.
The Danish group consisted of 23 eighteen-year-olds staying with peers from the Eduardo Primo Institute in Carlet. The exchange had been a highly enriching experience for everyone and for the host families. Those involved described the time as very positive. On Friday evening they had come together for a farewell dinner beside the octagonal shrine dedicated to the local martyr, Saint Bernat.
The clear skies and comfortable evening temperatures encouraged an outdoor gathering that turned abruptly tragic. After the meal, a subset of the group left the country house and wandered through nearby agricultural land until one student decided to climb a pole to gain height. A powerful electric shock ended his life immediately.
The Emergency Control Center CICU received a call around 1:30 a.m. reporting an unconscious young man who had suffered an electric shock. An ambulance arrived at the scene and the SAMU medical team performed CPR for over an hour, but there was no chance of revival. The student died just after climbing the electric pole.
In a state of shock
The deceased’s companions remained in disbelief. Roughly forty students who attended the farewell dinner faced notable anxiety and required psychological support. They were first taken to a health center for care, and a team of psychologists was dispatched to Carlet by the Emergency Center to assist them on site.
The mayor of the town, Laura Sáez, opened the council hall to provide a space where the students and their families could receive emotional support from professionals. All those affected were deeply shaken by the event. Counseling continued through the early hours, with most of the group returning to their host homes in preparation for some rest after a night that had begun with happiness and learning.
The return trip to Denmark was scheduled for early afternoon with a flight from Valencia’s Manises Airport. The deceased’s body was due to undergo an autopsy to complete the medical report for the judicial authorities. Earlier today the Danish institute’s principal began a visit to Valencia to support the delegation and accompany them through this painful moment.
The Institute, in mourning
The Eduardo Primo Institute released a statement acknowledging the Danish student’s death as part of the exchange group. They expressed deepest condolences to the victim and their family and noted gratitude that the support protocols were activated to provide psychological help for the students in the wake of the tragedy.