Man climbs onto train roof, gets severe burns

Panic gripped passengers and the railway staff at Phillaur on Thursday morning when an unidentified middle-aged man climbed on to the roof of a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train that had just arrived from Sultanpur Lodhi. The incident occurred around 9:30 am.

According to witnesses, the man, believed to be around 40 to 45 years, was seen climbing the train without provocation. People present on the platform repeatedly urged him to get down, but he paid no attention to their warnings. The witnesses claimed that his behaviour appeared erratic, leading many to suspect that he might have been mentally unstable or possibly under the influence of intoxicants.

Despite continuous appeals from onlookers, the man moved towards the edge of the train roof and, in a sudden and shocking act, reached out and touched an overhead electric traction wire. The wire carries an estimated 25,000 volts of high-tension current used for powering electric trains. The moment his hand made contact with the live wire, he got a massive electrical jolt.

Sparks flew, and the man’s clothes caught fire as he suffered severe burns. A few seconds later, he collapsed and fell off the train roof onto the platform, leaving the gathered crowd horrified. Railway officials and passengers immediately alerted emergency services. The injured man was rushed to the Phillaur Civil Hospital.

Harmesh Lal, In-charge of the Phillaur Railway Police Post, confirmed the incident and stated that the man has not yet been identified.

“Preliminary observations suggest he might be a migrant worker. He has sustained about 90 to 95 per cent burns,” Lal said, adding that efforts are underway to determine his identity and contact his family. Doctors at the hospital described his condition as extremely critical due to the extent of the burns and the nature of the electric shock.

The incident highlights serious concerns regarding public safety at railway stations and the dangers posed by overhead electrical equipment, especially when individuals attempt to climb train roofs. The authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the station to learn how the man gained access to the top of the train and whether security protocols were breached.