Bhatkal: A person died after stepping on a live electric wire that had fallen on the road near his house. The incident happened on Sunday morning in the neighboring village of Shiroor, Udupi district, 15 km from Bhatkal.

The deceased has been identified as Mohammed Irshad Kurdi (52), a resident of Hadvinkone near Shiroor Market. According to a local social worker, Irshad had left his house for some work and accidentally stepped on the electric wire that was on the road. As soon as his foot touched the electric wire, electricity ran through his entire body and he fell down. Hearing the sound, nearby women came forward to help him, but Irshad alerted them and instructed them to bring dry wood. Immediately, wood was brought to separate him from the electric wire. After much effort, he was freed from the electric wire and brought to the side. At that time, he was still breathing. He was taken inside the house, where he later died. It is learned that a local doctor tried hard to restore breathing by performing CPR but was unsuccessful, and Irshad succumbed to his injuries.

It has been reported that it was raining since the night in Shiroor and an electric transformer is installed outside the house of the deceased. As soon as Irshad came out of the house in the morning, he was electrocuted by an electric cable, which led to his death.

As soon as the accident was reported, officials of the Karnataka Electricity Board (KEB) along with the panchayat officials reached the spot and condoled with the family members while taking stock of the situation. On this occasion, the local people alleged that the electric wires often fall down but are not repaired in time. This accident could have been prevented if the officials had performed their duty promptly. According to the people, the negligence of the Electricity Department is responsible for this accident.

The body of Irshad has been shifted to Byndoor Government Hospital for post-mortem.

A case has been registered at Byndoor police station, and police are investigating further.