Popular cheerleader killed in tragic electrical shock drowning when her father lowered metal ladder into water to help her out

The family of a girl who died from electric shock drowning are raising awareness in the hopes of preventing future tragedies.

Carmen Johnson, 15, died last month while swimming in Smith Lake in Winston County after her father lowered a metal ladder into the water causing an electrical shock.

The young teen had jumped in with her friend Reagan, who soon started shrieking, causing father Jimmy to jump in after them.

Carmen Johnson, 15, (left and right) died last month while swimming in Smith Lake in Winston County after her father lowered a metal ladder into the water causing an electrical shock

The young teen had jumped in with her friend Reagan, who soon started shrieking, causing father Jimmy to jump in after them. Pictured: Smith Lake in Winston County

Now the family wish to raise awareness of electric shock drowning. Pictured: On Saturday the family had a stall at Logan Martin Lake fest this weekend to bring awareness on ESD

But the current was so strong that he was unable to swim and started blacking out. His son Zach then jumped in but when Johnson awoke he screamed at his wife Casey to cut the power to the boat dock. 

Johnson told the Today program that his wife's quick reflex meant that his, Reagan, and Zach's lives were saved.

But by that time it was too late for Carmen, who had slipped so far under that Johnson couldn't see her. 

Electric shock drowning occurs when electricity from a dock, pool, boat, or marina leaks into the water, and people enter the water. The electricity shocks them and paralyzes their muscles making it impossible to swim. 

A popular varsity cheerleader at Priceville High School, Carmen was described by friends as straight-A student who 'always had a smile on her face.' 

She had dreams of attending the University of Alabama.  

Her devastated father said: 'You just never know when something unpredictable like that could happen.

'I would never have thought electricity in that big of a body of water would be so strong, strong enough that I couldn't swim in it.'

And now the family wish to raise awareness of electric shock drowning.

On Saturday the family had a stall at Logan Martin Lake fest this weekend to bring awareness about ESD, according to her Facebook dedication page. 

Her devastated father said: 'You just never know when something unpredictable like that could happen'. Pictured the family in happier times

Happier times: A popular varsity cheerleader at Priceville High School, Carmen was described by friends as straight-A student who 'always having a smile on her face'. Pictured, Carmen with her father 

Johnson told the Today program that his wife's quick reflex meant that his, Reagan, and Zach's lives were saved. Pictured Jimmy and Casey Johnson

They have a dock life guard on display at the fair and the post said: 'If you're in the area please stop by and learn more about ESD and how you can prevent it'.

Speaking on Friday, Johnson said: 'We just need to get the word out there that this is a real danger that most people don't know about.'

In the Johnson's case, the problem was caused by a faulty light switch that had filled with water.

But this can be prevented by installing ground fault protection devices on the power sources that switch the power off if there's a problem with the electrical flow.

Or one can simply shut off the electricity when people are swimming.

As Kevin Ritz, founder of the Electric Shock Drowning Association, puts it: 'A ground fault protection device is as least as important as a seat belt.'

Johnson has since installed Dock Lifeguard that will detect an electrical current in the metal on a boat dock and in the water up to a 40 foot radius.

He told WTOC he plans on selling the equipment  in conjunction with his audio/visual business in Decatur.