Tragedy Strikes as Crane Operator Electrocuted While Loading Wooden Logs in Ponda; Two Workers Narrowly Escape
Team Herald
Ponda witnessed a devastating incident at approximately 3:30 pm today, as a crane operator, identified as Mehboob Perkewala, aged around 35 and hailing from Maina Curtorim, tragically lost his life while loading wooden logs onto a crane-mounted truck in Jofilnagar. Perkewala succumbed to the electrocution on the spot. The heart-wrenching incident unfolded during the process of loading dry wooden logs onto the truck, when the crane operator Perkewala made contact with overhead high-tension power lines in Jofilnagar. Fortunately, two other workers who were on the truck, involved in loading the logs, were standing on the dry wooden logs already loaded and managed to escape unharmed. The truck's driver mentioned having warned the operator about the dangers posed by the overhead lines, but tragically, his caution went unheeded. Perkewala was operating a hydraulic crane mounted on the truck chassis and, while lifting the dry wooden logs, the crane unfortunately came into contact with the three-phase overhead lines. The deceased is survived by his wife and two children, a daughter in kindergarten and a one-and-a-half-year-old son. Locals revealed that several months ago, a large tree in the open space at Jofilnagar had been felled, and on Thursday, the wooden logs from it were being loaded onto the truck for transportation. Regrettably, despite being aware of the presence of overhead high-tension lines, the crane operators and workers did not seek assistance from the electricity department to shut down the power supply, leading to the tragic accident. Following the incident, Ponda Police swiftly responded and conducted necessary procedures at the site. Electricity officials also arrived to inspect the area as part of the investigation into this grievous mishap.
