A 22-year-old man died after coming in contact with a live electric wire in Jharsuguda district’s Bhurkhamunda area on Thursday evening, while efforts to take him to hospital were delayed after a stationary goods train blocked a level crossing.
The deceased was identified as Sonu Sahani of Buromal village. According to police, Sahani had gone to Bhurkhamunda with a group of friends. While relieving himself in the area, he accidentally came in contact with a live wire and suffered a severe electric shock.
His friends attempted to take him to a hospital immediately, but their route was blocked by a stationary goods train at a level crossing. In an effort to get him medical attention, the group reportedly tried to carry the injured man through the stationary train.
Before they could complete the transfer, the train began moving. The group was forced to remain onboard until the train stopped at Brundamal railway station, after which Sahani was taken to Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital. Doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Dilip Behera, inspector-in-charge of Badmal police station, said Sahani had come in contact with a live electric wire and sustained a severe shock. “An investigation is underway to ascertain circumstances leading to the incident,” Behera said.
Badmal police have registered a case of unnatural death and started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The inquiry is expected to examine how the live wire was exposed in the Bhurkhamunda area and the circumstances that led to Sahani coming into contact with it.
The incident has also highlighted the difficulties residents can face when trying to move critically injured people through areas divided by railway infrastructure. In this case, the blocked level crossing prevented the group from taking Sahani directly to hospital and forced them to attempt an emergency transfer through a stationary goods train.
The death brings together two immediate public-safety concerns: the condition and protection of electrical infrastructure in areas used by residents, and the availability of reliable emergency access across railway crossings. Police said the investigation into the incident is continuing.
