This is the moment a cleaner disappears behind a bright flash of fire when he is zapped by 25,000 volts as he mops an express train’s windscreen.
The cleaner – who is believed to have been working at the Sogutclucesme station in Kadikoy, Istanbul, Turkey – apparently touched a live overhead power cable with his metal pole triggering the massive blast.
Terrifying CCTV footage of the drama shows the cleaner wiping the locomotive’s windows.
Then – as he lifts the pole too high – he brushes an overhead high-tension power cable and is instantly engulfed in a flash of fire and smoke.
When the massive shock hits him, the cleaner goes as stiff as a board and falls backwards onto the platform.
As he lies there, his rigid arms stick out in front of him with every muscle in his body locked in a powerful spasm.
Footage from a second camera – filmed on Wednesday, 23rd May – shows a young family setting up their pushchair on the platform as the shock happens.
The railway staff come running to help the cleaner as the footage ends.
The train cleaner was seriously injured and is in a hospital in the intensive care unit, according to local media.
The cleaner – who has not been named – is said to work for contractors RCS Cleaning Company.
Union leaders said low-paid contractors often receive little to no training for dangerous jobs.
They said train cleaning should only be carried out on safe, non-powered lines.
The United Transport Employees Union said: “Who decided to clean this line under the power line, even though it was not in compliance with the legislation and OHS/IMS rules, by whom and how?”
The statement also questioned whether or not the employee had been given any proper training and demanded an investigation.
