Man critically injured after climbing onto roof of Mumbai local train and touching overhead wire

 

By Sumesh Rajan | August 13, 2025

Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, INDIA: A 30-year-old man suffered life-threatening burn injuries after climbing onto the roof of a moving commuter train and coming into contact with a high-voltage overhead wire at Vashi railway station on Monday August 11 evening.

The victim, identified as Ankur Pandey, a janitor employed by Super Facility Services Pvt Ltd and a resident of Diva in Thane, was reportedly travelling from Wadala to Panvel when he scaled the train roof near Mankhurd. 

Railway police said the train arrived at Vashi station at around 5:10 pm, where Pandey touched the live wire, triggering a loud electric discharge.

Passengers alerted the Government Railway Police (GRP), who climbed onto the carriage to bring him down. He was first taken to Vashi Municipal Hospital with burns covering 70–80% of his body, before being transferred to Mumbai’s J.J. Hospital for specialised care.

Senior Inspector Kiran Undare of the Vashi GRP said initial findings suggest the act may have been an attempted suicide, though the motive remains under investigation. Authorities are working to locate Pandey’s family.

The incident briefly disrupted services on Mumbai’s Harbour Line before normal operations resumed.