Teen In Critical Condition After Being Shocked On Lower Merion Train Tracks

MERION STATION, PA – A teen boy was injured and listed in critical condition after being shocked and falling about 35 feet onto rocks while climbing a train signal crossing tower Monday afternoon in Lower Merion Township, officials said.

According to Lower Merion Township officials, officers responded at about 4:23 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2 to the train tracks behind Merion Botanical Gardens in Merion Station for a report of an electrocution.

When police arrived, they found a 14-year-old male lying on the ground at the base of a signal crossing tower on the outbound side of the tracks, officials said.

The boy was conscious and alert, officials said, but had a laceration to his head, as well as burns on the palms of his hands and feet.

The boy told officers he was climbing up the signal crossing and fell backwards, about 35 feet, onto the rocks and said he did not remember if he was electrocuted, according to township officials.

The boy was taken to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and was listed in critical condition at 6:30 p.m. Monday, officials said. Officials did not have further information on the boy's condition Tuesday morning.

Officers spoke to another 14-year-old boy who witnessed the incident. The boy said the victim was climbing the signal crossing and when he reached the top the witness saw electricity arc then saw the victim fall, officials said.

The witness called for help immediately, officials said.

Due to the victim being a minor, officials have not released his identity.

Image via Renee Schiavone, Patch Staff