7 Unfortunate electronics-related deaths

All good things come with risks. Technology is changing the world in ways we’ve never imagined, bringing us closer together, but farther apart at the same time. As far off as it may seem, gadgets such as cell phones, radios, and iPads actually come with physical dangers that present themselves in a variety of ways.

Here are some examples of deaths that were caused by or involved everyday electronics.

1. Air conditioner electrocution

A 37-year-old man was electrocuted while repairing an air conditioning unit on the roof of a South Florida building. (ClickOrlando.com)

2. Radio-controlled helicopter disaster

Roman Pirozek with his helicopter. (Image via NY Daily News)

Roman Pirozek, a 19-year-old helicopter enthusiast, was killed last year in New York after his remote-controlled helicopter fell from the sky and blades struck his head and throat. (NY Daily News)

3. Fatal USB memory stick

A 14-year-old boy from England fatally choked on the cap of a 3-inch plastic data stick. (Daily Mail)

4. Addicted to computer game

An 18-year-old man died at a Taiwan Internet café after he was seen playing for 40 hours straight without even eating. It was reported that he may have suffered a blood clot as a result of sitting for that long. (Huffington Post)

5. Mistaken Nintendo Wii remote

Christopher Roupe, a 17-year-old from Georgia, was shot by police last week. The officers came to his home to serve his father a warrant, but said that Roupe appeared to have had a gun in his hand when he answered the door. It was reported that he was just holding a Wii remote, preparing to watch a movie. (Huffington Post)

6. Cellphone dropped in a river

Search team looking for third person in the Chicago River after the accident. (Image via ABC)

There have been many reports of cellphones exploding or causing electric shocks, but luckily so far nobody has died by these means. Instead, two people died and one was injured after falling into the icy Chicago River while trying to retrieve a cellphone that had fallen in the water. (ABC)

7. iPad robbery

Two men in a car pulled up next to a 15-year-old Las Vegas boy and tried to steal his iPad. When the boy refused to give up the devices, he was dragged by the vehicle and then run over. (Cult of Mac)

Note to readers:
No electronic device is worth losing your life or taking the life of another. Please keep this in mind as you enjoy what technology has to offer.