A tragic incident unfolded in Maharashtra’s Thane city on Thursday afternoon when a nine-year-old boy reportedly died of electrocution while playing near a traffic signal pole, according to police officials.
The incident took place near Teen Haath Naka, one of Thane’s busiest intersections. The child, identified as Rajesh Pawar, came into contact with an iron ladder that was touching the signal pole. He suffered a fatal electric shock and collapsed on the spot, a police official said.
His father, in an attempt to save him, also received an electric shock and sustained injuries, confirmed the station house officer of Naupada police station.
Officials from the electricity department who visited the scene found that after disconnecting the ladder from the pole, no current was detected, indicating a possible electrical leak from the signal pole. Further inspection revealed that part of the pole had been improperly insulated — only wrapped in insulation tape — leaving it dangerously exposed.
A case of accidental death has been registered for now, and further investigation is underway.
