Gladstone teen electrocuted on train bridge after touching live power lines in Queensland
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15-year-old boy who was climbing near live power lines dies after being electrocuted and thrown 10 meters to the ground
- 15-year-old dies after being electrocuted by power lines
- Child swings and climbs near power poles in Gladstone
- The power pole exploded, throwing him 10m underwater.
A teenager died after being electrocuted by live power lines.
The 15-year-old boy was climbing and swinging near the Aurizon railway bridge, which spans Auckland Creek in the Queensland city of Gladstone, on Thursday when he touched one of the live wires.
The power pole is understood to have exploded after the boy accidentally touched the line, causing him to plunge 10 meters into the stream below.
The Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed that paramedics were called to the bridge shortly after 12pm to report the boy was in the creek.
Queensland Police said officers were on site and escorted Aurizon staff to inspect the bridge.
The train bridge spans Auckland Creek in Gladstone, Queensland
A teenager who was with the dead 15-year-old is talking to the police.
Aurizon is Australia’s largest freight rail operator, transporting more than 250 million tonnes of commodities across the country each year.
The company also owns and operates one of the world’s largest coal rail networks, linking around 50 mines to three major ports in Queensland.
The town of Gladstone, five hours north of Brisbane, is known for its mines and its port is the fourth largest coal export terminal in the world.
More to come.