Teen dies of electric shock under bridge

Duncan Murray | January 20, 2023

A teenage boy has died under a coal train bridge in central Queensland after receiving an electric shock.

Emergency services were called to the bridge over Auckland Creek in the suburb of Clinton in West Gladstone at about 12.30pm on Thursday.

Paramedics treated the 15-year-old who was in a critical condition after being shocked, a Queensland Ambulance spokesperson confirmed, but he died at the scene. 

Police said the circumstances did not appear to be suspicious and a report was being prepared for the coroner.

Employees of Aurizon, which operates the section of rail line, assisted emergency services at the scene.

The company expressed its condolences to the teenager’s family.

“This is a tragic incident that will be felt deeply by the local community,” it said in a statement.

“We are providing support to the Aurizon employees who attended the site to assist emergency services.”