Deadly electrocution on railway roof kills boy, leaves girl critical in Ukraine
Photo: Teenagers shocked by an electric current on a train roof (facebook.com Ukrzaliznytsia)
A tragic incident occurred today, July 5, in Nizhyn, Chernihiv region of northern Ukraine. A 15-year-old boy and a 19-year-old girl were electrocuted on the roof of a railway car, reports the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Rescuers said that this evening, a report came in about the two teens suffering an electric shock on the territory of the Nizhyn railway station.
Photo: Teenagers shocked by an electric current on a train roof (t.me/dsns_telegram)
Photo: Teenagers shocked by an electric current on a train roof (t.me/dsns_telegram)
"Unfortunately, the boy died, and the girl is in intensive care," the State Emergency Service said.
Following this incident, the emergency workers once again appealed to parents.
"The railway is not a place for fun. Explain to your children the dangers of playing near the tracks. Closely monitor their activities. This could save lives!" the rescuers emphasized.
Notably, such cases are not isolated. For example, just this spring, two teenagers were climbing on freight cars in Vyshneve, a town near Kyiv.
One boy died on the spot after being electrocuted. The other was injured.
Additionally, a similar case happened a month ago in Odesa. A 10-year-old boy climbed onto the roof of a freight car at a railway station and was shocked by electricity.
The impact threw the child under the train.
RBC-Ukraine also reported that a dangerous new game is rapidly spreading among children in Ukraine — known as "train surfing." This involves extreme attempts to ride on the outside parts of trains, trams, or metro cars.
Since the beginning of the year, at least eight cases of "train surfing" have been recorded, resulting in injuries to nine children. The situation is especially alarming in Kyiv.
"Train surfing" is not just a rule violation; it is a deadly game. The voltage in the contact network can reach 27,000 volts. Collisions with obstacles or falls from heights while the train is moving at speeds up to 62 mph (100 km/h) often leave no chance for survival.
It is important to note that such actions carry administrative or even criminal liability.
Experts advise parents to monitor their children's hobbies closely and discuss potential risks with them. They also urge bystanders to report such situations to train drivers, emergency responders, or the police immediately.
