In mortal danger

Climbed onto a train: boy suffers electric shock

The boy is said to have climbed onto a train on ÖBB premises.(Bild: Zwefo)

A daring action by five young people in Vienna-Penzing came to a fatal end on Monday afternoon. A 16-year-old boy and his friends had gained access to a railroad site and then climbed onto a parked train. He got caught in the high-voltage line. 

The rescue chain was immediately set in motion by the other teenagers. The 16-year-old was given initial emergency medical treatment on site by paramedics from the Vienna Professional Rescue Service and then immediately flown to hospital by rescue helicopter. 

Accident on ÖBB premises
The boy was seriously injured in the incident. According to initial information, his life is in danger. The scene of the accident is said to be an ÖBB site. 

The youths are said to have gained access to these railroad premises.(Bild: zwefo)

ÖBB pointed out on Tuesday that every accident is "one too many", but that unauthorized access to the facilities is "strictly prohibited and life-threatening". "The railroad works with equipment weighing several tons, high speeds and a voltage of 15,000 volts," said a spokesperson. "If you get too close to the live overhead line, a voltage flashover can occur even without touching it."

"Switch off the power before recovery"
The ÖBB spokesperson also emphasized that in the event of an accident, the danger zone must not be entered until the power has been switched off. "Only then is it possible to safely rescue the person involved in the accident," he said. In the event of an accident, the emergency services, police and rescue services must always be informed immediately.