The family of a Dover, N.H., high school student whose heart stopped after a high-intensity shock he suffered during an electrical trades class is suing the teacher and the school district, according to documents filed with the Strafford County Superior Court this week.

The complaint, filed by Robert and Sandra Dubois on behalf of their son Kyle, claims that the boy's teacher, Thomas Kelley, encouraged Kyle and a group of students to carry out a prank that could have been deadly. According to the suit, Kelley offered to give Kyle a Mountain Dew if he allowed the group of students to a administer a shock by placing alligator clamps on Kyle's chest.

Kelley's attorney denied that his client was even aware of what was happening, claiming the teacher was engaged in a conversation with another student while the incident took place.

The complaint also alleges that Kelley failed to properly inform students about the dangers of electrical shock before allowing them to use the equipment.

The family claims that Kelley "knew or should have known that the electrical circuits in his classroom could administer harmful or fatal shocks to students."

The shock, which lasted for only 3 seconds, caused Kyle's heart to stop beating. His heart had to be restarted by emergency responders using a defibrillator. In addition, the teenager had to undergo surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital as treatment for short-term memory loss and other medical issues related to the shock.

The lawsuit names Kelley, the school district, and the city of Dover as defendants.