Selfie craze claims techie's life

Sambalpur: A 20-year-old engineering student today died after coming in contact with a high-tension wire while taking a selfie atop a stationary goods train at Baljori area in Odisha's Jharsuguda town, police said.

His friend also sustained injuries in the incident, they said.

The deceased, identified as Rajpal Gourav Patra of Koraput, was a second year Diploma student in civil engineering at the Jharsuguda Engineering School.

The injured student has been identified as Lokesh Das of Balangir, also a second year civil engineering student, they said.

Police said both had gone to Baljori this morning.

A goods train, which was transporting oil, had stopped on the railway tracks at Baljori area and was waiting for signal.

Rajpal climbed on the static train to take a selfie, but came in contact with the high-tension live wire overhead and died on the spot while his friend sustained injuries, the police said.

On receiving information, Government Railway Police (GRP) officers reached the spot and recovered the body.

The injured student was rushed to Jharsuguda District Headquarter hospital, where his condition was stated to be stable.

"Inquiry into the incident is in progress. We are in the process of recording the statement of the injured student at the hospital," said Assistant Sub-Inspector of Government Railway Police Station, Ramesh Bhainsal.

The family members of the deceased have been informed about the incident, he added.