Siblings’ Quick Thinking Saves Lives After Live Wire Snaps in Palghar
Siblings' Quick Thinking Saves Lives After Live Wire Snaps in Palghar
Science lesson recalled just in time as brother and sister prevent tragedy by warning people of live electrical hazard.
A science lesson and quick reflexes from two school-going siblings in Palghar, Maharashtra, helped avert a potential disaster last month. Twelve-year-old Smit Bhandare and his nine-year-old sister Sanskruti raised an alarm after spotting a live electrical wire that had snapped and fallen on a gate during heavy rain. Their swift action saved a 10-year-old boy and a delivery agent from possible electrocution. On Wednesday, the siblings were honored for their bravery by district collector Govind Bodke and local police officials.
On August 25, as the Bhandare family was preparing for lunch, Smit was busy with his homework while Sanskruti played in the house. Their mother, Kalpana, was in the kitchen and their father, Darshan, a science teacher, was freshening up. Suddenly, the siblings heard a loud noise outside. Rushing to the balcony of their second-floor apartment, they noticed that a high-voltage wire from a nearby pole had snapped due to the storm and fallen on the gate of the adjacent Vasant Vihar building.
Smit, a seventh grader at Anand Ashram English High School, quickly recalled a lesson on electrical conductors from the previous year. Recognizing the danger posed by the live wire on the iron gate, he shouted from the balcony, warning people to stay away. His sister, a third-grade student, immediately joined him in raising the alarm.
Their timely intervention prevented Mohammed Ansari, a 10-year-old resident of their building, from entering the gate and potentially coming into contact with the live wire. Their father, Darshan, quickly contacted the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) to report the hazard.
While Darshan was on the phone with MSEB officials, a delivery agent arrived at the scene on a scooter, unaware of the danger. The siblings once again sprang into action, alerting the man to stay clear of the gate. Braving the rain with umbrellas, the siblings remained on watch, warning passersby until the MSEB team arrived and disconnected the power supply to ensure everyone’s safety.
The courageous actions of Smit and Sanskruti not only prevented a tragedy but also earned them the admiration of their community.
