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Live wire kills 26-year-old, injures 13 while hoisting flag pole
View(s):A 26-year-old married man was killed and 13 others were hospitalised after they were electrocuted during a flag-hoisting ceremony to mark a church feast in Grandpass, Police said. The incident took place around 6.30 pm when the flag pole, made of a raw arecanut tree, was being raised, came in contact with a high voltage live wire.
The victim was identified as Koneshwaran from Wadulawatta, Grandpass. Krishnamani Selvaraj who witnessed the incident said he saw some people hoist the flag while others were assisting them by climbing on to a ladder. Another witness, Kamalendra Newton said that he saw sparks and people being thrown off.
Police and Electricity Board officials quickly cut down and removed the decorated flag post which had metal nails to connect the decorations.
Residents examining the flag pole after the incident Pic by Amila Gamage