Faulty underground powerline on waterlogged road in Coimbatore claims District Supply Office employee’s life
The Hindu
An employee of Coimbatore District Supply Office electrocuted while riding his two-wheeler through a waterlogged area in the city. The accident was caused by a faulty underground powerline. Fire and rescue services personnel retrieved the body and it was shifted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. Corporation Commissioner has asked the electricity board to submit a report on why the cables were not fixed on time.
A faulty underground powerline claimed the life of an employee of Coimbatore District Supply Office at Lanka Corner Junction in Coimbatore city, late on Monday.
P. Selvaraj (55), a resident of Vinayagar Nagar second street on Ukkadam – Sungam bypass, who had been working as a system manager, was electrocuted while wading his motorcycle through a waterlogged road stretch of State Bank Road at Lanka Corner junction, a low-lying area known for rainwater stagnation.
The accident took place at 10.15 p.m. when Selvaraj was heading to his residence. As he reached in front of a lodge, while negotiating through the waterlogged road, the two-wheeler fell to the left side.
“I saw him falling and his left leg got trapped under the two-wheeler. He cried out for help and I stepped out to lend him a hand. As I tried to pull him out, I suffered electric shock and stepped back. He died within a few minutes,” said M. Ibrahim, who runs a mobile shop on the road.
According to him, another two-wheeler rider, who came behind Selvaraj, also fell. But the man jumped to the other side of the road after suffering electric shock, and he escaped.
Fire and Rescue Services personnel retrieved the body and shifted it to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital where the post-mortem was conducted on Tuesday. The Race Course police registered a case under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in connection with the death.
Corporation Commissioner M. Prathap told The Hindu that an internet service provider was allowed to lay lines to provide connection to the area, however the work may have affected the electric cables running underground. “I have asked the Tangedco to submit a report on why the cables were not fixed on time. Only based on that can we ascertain the cause for this accident,” he said.
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