Three kids among 11 killed as live wire hits temple chariot

CHENNAI: Eleven people, including three children, were electrocuted after a temple chariot procession in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district came in contact with a high-voltage power line on Wednesday, police said.

As many as 15 people were injured in the accident that took place around 3am near Kalimedu when the Appar Swamy temple chariot procession was underway. Police said the toll may go up as some of those who were injured and undergoing treatment at Thanjavur medical college hospital are believed to be critical.

Explaining the circumstances leading to the electrocution, police said the temple car was negotiating a turn when it came into contact with the overhead line. The people standing on the chariot were thrown, they said.

“The electricity board had switched off the low-tension wire.

The high-tension wire was by the corner of the road. Preliminary probe suggested the chariot lost balance and slipped towards the high-tension wire,” said Tiruchirappalli (central zone) inspector general of police V Balakrishnan.

“While three persons died on spot, others died during treatment at Thanjavur medical college hospital. A first information report (FIR) has been filed to investigate the exact cause and how the electrocution happened,” he added.

Eyewitnesses said “people were thrown away, they just fell down”. “I could see men lying here and there and the unfolding scene was frightening as we could not understand what was happening,” a woman eyewitness said.

“Organisers could not go near the generator, leave alone turning it off. Obviously no one was sure from where the electricity was originating and how it was passing on and it was mayhem,” a villager said.