Map of Terrace Bay, Ontario.

26 May 2011

Girl Burns Hand While Breaking Fall

Terrace Bay Ontario - A young Schreiber girl was trying to break a fall when she grabbed onto a live railway electrical cable and suffered a severe burn to her hand, says CP Rail.
 
"She apparently slipped, and when she went to grab something, it was a high voltage line," CPR spokesman Mike LoVecchio said Wednesday.
 
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m., Sunday, near a CPR bridge in Terrace Bay.
 
LoVecchio said it wasn't clear if the girl, about 10 years old, was on the tracks at the time.
 
Locals say the girl couldn't let go of the line as it burned her.
 
A friend who was with her had to give her a push to help her break free.
 
High voltage lines are present on CPR's corridors for signal lights and other equipment.
 
"Our thoughts are with (the girl's) family, but unfortunately, we must reiterate that when you trespass on our property you do so at a terrible risk," said LoVecchio.
 
In the wake of Sunday's incident, some Schreiber residents said they wondered why such lines are exposed and if railway workers could also be at risk.
 
LoVecchio said workers are made aware of any potential hazards.
 
"CP employees have appropriate knowledge and training. Any work that might occur near high voltage lines would begin with a job briefing which highlights adjacent risks, as is required by CP health and safety policies."
 
Police visited the location on Sunday to make sure it was clear of any other residents, said Schreiber provincial police Cont. Carol Michtics.
 
The injured girl is believed to have been transported to a Winnipeg hospital.
 
Her condition wasn't available Wednesday.
 
In 2010, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada recorded 81 trespasser-related incidents, resulting in 55 fatalities and 19 serious injuries.
 
Trespasser fatalities increased five percent over 2009, the board said.
 
Carl Clutchey.