The Northern Territory's electricity provider has offered its "sincere condolences" to the family of an 11-year-old boy whose death was partly caused by a damaged powerline.
Detectives travelled to the Arnhem Land community of Gunbalanya to investigate the fatality late last month, but few other details were released at the time.
The NT's work safety watchdog has now published the preliminary findings of an investigation into the incident.
It confirmed the boy suffered an electric shock that, "combined with other circumstances, contributed to the death".
According to NT WorkSafe, the 11-year-old was attempting to climb into a "secured external area" of a home in the community, about 300 kilometres east of Darwin, when he died.
The watchdog found a damaged powerline was making contact with a steel wire attached to the roof, posing a risk of shock or electrocution to anyone who touched it directly or indirectly.
Electricity provider Power and Water Corporation yesterday released a statement offering its sympathy to the 11-year-old's family and friends, as well as the community of Gunbalanya.
"Public safety is fundamental to everything we do at Power and Water, and any incident involving electrical infrastructure that results in harm weighs heavily on us," the statement read.
"Power and Water has been working cooperatively with NT WorkSafe and relevant authorities to determine the circumstances and causes of the incident and will continue to do so."
Roof not 'solidly earthed', live with 240 volts
NT WorkSafe's findings also suggest the roof and a fixture it was connected to did not comply with electrical safety rules.
The watchdog said the insulation on the overhead powerline became damaged over time because of exposure to the elements.
The damaged area reportedly made contact with a stainless-steel wire, energising both it and a metal hook it was connected to.
The hook itself attached to the home's metal roof, which then had 240 volts of electricity running through it.
NT WorkSafe found that neither the roof nor the hook were "solidly earthed" — a precaution intended to guard against electric shocks — as required by safety standards.
Further checks also found defects in other electrical infrastructure.
Power and Water said it had since inspected electrical supply installations at all other homes in Gunbalanya.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
