THRISSUR: Three KSEB contract workers were electrocuted and four people were injured at Kozhukkully, near Mannuthy, in Thrissur, on Tuesday evening when they accidentally came into contact with an 11 KV power transmission line while erecting an electric pole in the area.
The accident occurred around 5 pm. The deceased have been identified as Jiffy, 30, of Pattikad, and Palakkad Mangalam natives Shibu and Suresh, 32. Three of them were contract linemen with the KSEB. Four contract workers also suffered burns in the accident. Besides, they suffered bruises when the pole that they were trying to erect fell on them.
The injured Dhineesh, 23, of Pattikad, Jijo, 29, of Chittilappilly, Sunilkumar, 52, of Kallur, and Chandran, 34, of Mangalam in Palakkad, have been admitted to the Medical College Hospital. Of the four, the condition of one person is said to be critical and the other three are out of danger, said hospital sources.
While one person died on the spot, two persons breathed their last at the Jubilee Medical College Hospital in Thrissur in the evening. Mannuthy sub-inspector Sooraj said that the KSEB officials had not cut off power supply of the high voltage power transmission line passing through the area, before the workers began to erect a pole below the 11 KV line.
They erected the pole in the belief that it would not touch the 11 KV line but while the pole was being hoisted it came into contact with the 11 kv line leading to the mishap. The KSEB officials said the ill-fated employees were working on an electricity installation and the exact reason for electrocution could be ascertained only after an investigation.
Following the accident, officials of the electrical inspectorate also visited the site. The late arrival of KSEB officials at the mishap spot led to protests from the locals. The deceased Jiffy was the KSEB contractor and others were contract workers under him.