25-year-old dies after wire pierces his chest on Signature Bridge
What's the story
Pranav Mishra, a 25-year-old electrician, was allegedly killed by a metal wire hanging loose on Delhi's Signature Bridge on Thursday. As per reports, the wire pierced through his chest while he was returning to his home in Wazirabad on a bike. Passers-by found his body near the divider of the bridge. Delhi Police has registered a complaint in the case. Here's more.
Probe
Case of death by negligence under Section 304A registered
As per reports, construction work on the bridge and Wednesday's strong winds resulted in a broken wire. Although the police had initially suspected a case of hit-and-run, AK Thakur, Deputy Commissioner of Police, said, "We are waiting for the autopsy report to ascertain the exact cause of death. A case of death by negligence under Section 304A of the IPC has been registered."
Allegations
Family alleges wire hit Pranav's head and he lost control
Meanwhile, Pranav's brother, Madan said, "Some people on the bridge told me that the wire was dangling after it broke off. It hit my brother's head and pierced his chest, causing him to lose control of his bike. His bike skidded on the road and he hit the divider." According to the family, Pranav had contacted them barely 20 minutes before the accident.
Statement
All the cables are intact, says Shishir Bansal
However, Shishir Bansal, chief project manager of the bridge, has denied all allegations, "I am saying this on record that none of the cables of the bridge broke due to the strong wind has hit the biker. All the cables are intact and not a single one was dangling." Moreover, a piece of the wire has been sent for forensic investigation by the police.
Contradiction
The police is in between investigation, trying to ascertain reason
Meanwhile, the person, who informed the police had also mentioned the broken wire. Further, cops confirmed head trauma and chest wound on Pranav. However, DCP said, "We're trying to ascertain the sequence of events that led to the accident and the biker's death. Whether the cable was dangling or some metal fell off the bridge and hit him is a matter for the probe."
Family
Pranav died a day before his second anniversary
Pranav, who died a day before his second anniversary, has left behind his parents, wife, a brother, two sisters and a sister-in-law. According to his father, Uma Kant Mishra, Pranav last spoke to his wife, Sapna Mishra. He called her around midnight to tell her that he would reach home in around half an hour. Later, his brother was called to the police station.
Quote
SHO showed a picture of my brother's body, says Madan
"SHO showed a picture of my brother's body on his phone. There was a deep stab wound on his chest and deep injury to his head and face as well. He told me that my brother died in an accident on the bridge," added Madan.
Previous incident
Another incident suggests wires hanging on the bridge
A similar incident was reported last year in November, just a few days after the bridge's inauguration. Two medical students died as they fell from the bridge, from a height of around 30 feet, after the biker's foot allegedly got caught in a stray of wire hanging from the streetlight. However, the police suspected that they were taking selfie while riding the bike.