Cable thief gets electrocuted in Elsburg

Local emergency personnel were sent to a scene on Saturday, August 19 where a 30 year old male was electrocuted.

The thief was discovered hanging up on the cables’ metal structure by Transnet security while patrolling along the railway lines on Rhodes Street near the Elsburg train station.

“Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) rescue team from Germiston fire station received the call at 20H11 and promptly responded to the scene.
On arrival, the patient was hanging head down still alive. Power had to be isolated before the rescuer could climb the ladder to rescue and recover him,” explained William Ntladi (SEMA spokesperson).

The electrical technicians from Transnet were called to isolate the power for safety reasons.

The patient was brought down and medically treated before being sent to the nearestnearest hospital.

“He sustained bilateral full thickness burns on both hands,” Ntladi said.

Law enforcement units are investigating.

Regards.