FRIED HORSE: Animal’s Body Smouldered And Rider Left Shocked After Standing On Illegal Live Wire

A teen girl from South Africa has escaped a sudden death and her horse was killed after they stood on an illegally laid high voltage wire that was stealing electricity from a nearby metro line.

Zeldine Pretorius, 17, poses with her horse Kerneels, undated. They died after her horse stepped onto a live power cable in Pretoria, South Africa on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. (Newsflash)

Horse guide Zeldine Pretorius,17, was struck by an electric shock when her horse named Kerneels stepped on the live wire in the city of Pretoria, South Africa.

The 17-year-old teen who worked for the horseback riding service Bon Accord Horse Trails was reportedly scouting for new trails with the stallion when the incident happened on Friday, 23rd December.

On the day of the incident, Zeldine and her friend reportedly went riding in an open space along the Rosslyn Road near the town of Brits, in North West Province.

She was reportedly determined to find a new route, after having discovered the trail the day before.

But during the exploration, Zeldine reportedly felt a strong electrical shock, after which both she and Kerneels collapsed on the ground.

She ended up stuck over the illegal power lines, after the poor animal topped over.

Picture shows the scorch marks where the power line made contact with the horse, undated. Zeldine Pretorius, 17, and the horse Kerneels, died after her horse stepped onto a live power cable in Pretoria, South Africa on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. (Newsflash)

When she managed to release herself from the dangerous power cables and tried to help her horse, she was struck a second time.

Police and emergency services were immediately called on site, after which the teen was taken to a local hospital for assessment.

Kerneels, however, died entwined in the power lines as a result of the electric shock.

Rescuers reportedly waited for four hours before the authorities from the city of Tshwane’s metro shut down the power in the area to safely retrieve Kerneels’ lifeless body.

In addition, they used fire extinguishers to prevent the poor animal’s body from catching fire due to the high voltage lines.

City authorities confirmed that the power cables were illegally placed in the area and led to a local community, but claimed a case could not be opened.

Zeldine Pretorius, 17, poses with her horse Kerneels, undated. They died after her horse stepped onto a live power cable in Pretoria, South Africa on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. (Newsflash)

All power connections were removed following the incident.

Meanwhile, Zeldine’s mother Ansie said her daughter was released for home recovery after the painful and traumatic incident.

The teen is reportedly in a huge deal of physical pain, while mentally struggling to accept the loss of her beloved horse, who she considered a family member.

Ansie said: “She is the head guide at Bon Accord Stables. They are always trying to find new routes they can take people on.

“Luckily she wasn’t alone, I can’t even think about it, what would have happened.”

The teen’s sister, named Anchen, explained that Zeldine and the six-year-old rescue horse were inseparable.

Picture shows the horse Kerneels, undated. Zeldine Pretorius, 17, and the horse died after her horse stepped onto a live power cable in Pretoria, South Africa on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. (Newsflash)

Ansie added: “Zeldine had this horse for just almost a year, and since she got this horse she did better at school, she had more self-esteem and she did better in life.”