BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A 16-ear-old boy is in critical condition after police say he came in contact with a hot transmission line of a rail car.
Just before 3:30 a.m., police had received a call from a juvenile stating he was playing by a train car by Seaview Avenue with his friend. The juvenile reported that there was an explosion and he ran from the train car to another friend's house to call 911.
The line of about 10 cargo train cars was parked by Crecest Street. When officers arrived, they found the injured teen in the second car.
A Metro North spokesperson said they believe the teen was was riding on a work train that was carrying the crushed stone that the railroad uses as ballast to anchor the rails into the ground and came into contact with a hot catenary or transmission line, the overhead wires used to power trains that are electrified with 13,000 volts of alternating current, resulting in an electric shock
The teen was burned from head to toe but reportedly breathing and slightly responsive.
The teen was rushed to Bridgeport Hospital where police said he remains in "extremely critical condition". The MTA was notified and they have taken over the investigation.
No arrests have been made at this time.
