It’s Not Unreasonable To Conclude
(This post was updated 4:12 pm 9/10/2009 see below)
I’ve been running scenarios in my head trying to figure out what could have possibly happened that caused Adam Hermanson to be electrocuted in his shower at Camp Olympia in the International (Green) Zone.
There is always a chance there could be something unusual in any electrical system in Iraq. I’ve seen light fixtures, switches and heaters installed in showers. But, there are only a few obvious components that could energize an improperly grounded water system.
1. A water pump. Water pumps are VERY common in Iraq and are found on most buildings. It was an improperly grounded failed water pump that caused SSG Ryan Maseth’s death at Radwaniyah Palace Complex.
2. An electrically operated valve. Not commonly found in a water system in Iraq but not unheard of.
3. An electric water heater. Probably the most common device in a water system. Every bathroom and kitchen is going to have at least one if not more depending on the demand for hot water.
Sticking with the most common devices I am going to narrow it down to the water pump or water heater as the culprit.
Now, taking into account a comment that was made me that the water heater from the bathroom where Adam died had been removed almost immediately, one must conclude the water heater was the failed component that most likely caused Adam’s death.
Through deductive reasoning I am going to conclude that one phase of the water heater came in contact with everything that should have been grounded and bonded including the water heater tank and metal water lines.
It is very reasonable to assume in this particular case, the water heater, the electrical panel and entire building were NOT properly bonded and grounded. This has been an ongoing problem in Iraq and is the focus for the inspections performed by Task Force SAFE.
I’m sure Task Force SAFE was involved in the investigation after Adam’s death. I will be interested to see what their findings are.
I would also like to know if this building was on the list to be inspected by Task Force SAFE. If not why not?
Ms Sparky
UPDATE: “The Nation” just came out with another investigative article by Jeremy Scahill on Adam Hermanson’s death. Here is an excerpt from that article. Looks like I was not too far off in my assumptions. Now I ask…”Did someone tamper with a crime scene?”
On the second day in Dover, Dr. Martin came to the Hermansons’ hotel room and told them that Adam’s quarters in Baghdad had basically been gutted. “He said, ‘Well, I have some information,’” Patricia recalls. “‘They have removed all the plumbing, the water heater, the electrical wiring’” from the quarters. According to Moreno, Dr. Martin told them that “the water heater had been taken out, the electrical box, all associated wiring in the building had been taken out.” When the family asked why, Dr. Martin said he thought Triple Canopy wanted to inspect it. Patricia said she thought Dr. Martin was implying that the company didn’t want anyone else to get hurt, but his statement also led the family to suspect that crucial evidence may have been tampered with; evidence that could help to answer their lingering questions about Adam’s death.
Click HERE to read the entire Jeremy Scahill article at “The Nation”.
