PROVIDENCE, R.I. – An Amtrak police report released this week details the emergency response to an August 21 incident that left two local teenagers with serious electrical burns near the railroad tracks on Ashburton Street.
What happened
According to 911 records, one of the youths called for help at about 10:02 p.m., reporting that he and his friend had been shocked by electricity and needed immediate medical assistance. The caller said his friend had fallen onto the tracks and could not move, prompting him to separate and place the call.
An Amtrak officer on the scene heard a cry for help and found one of the injured teens perched on a metal barrier atop an embankment roughly 15‑20 feet high. Firefighters and another officer broke through a fence to reach the teen and escort him to an ambulance. The officer noted extensive skin discoloration and that the victim’s clothing had to be removed for treatment.
The second teen was already receiving emergency care when officers located him. Both youths were transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, a facility that includes Rhode Island Hospital’s burn unit.
Extent of injuries
One mother told police that her son sustained burns covering 50‑60 percent of his body and would require multiple surgeries during an anticipated 60‑day hospital stay. The other teen, identified in a family‑run GoFundMe campaign as 16‑year‑old Corey Ogden of Johnston, suffered burns on more than 80 percent of his body. Ogden’s family reported that he was breathing on his own after being taken off a ventilator but still faces additional surgeries.
Investigation findings
The police report indicates that the juveniles accessed the railroad property by cutting a fence near a retaining wall, which allowed them to climb onto the wall close to overhead electrical wires. Providence firefighters confirmed they did not cut the fence during the response. An Amtrak electrical foreman inspected the overhead wires after the incident and found no visible damage.
Both teens were found to have trespassed onto railroad property that is clearly marked with “no‑trespassing” signs. The report notes that the father of one of the juveniles, an Amtrak employee, had previously warned his son about the dangers of the tracks. Police concluded that prosecution was declined.
Impact on train service
Train traffic was temporarily halted while responders worked at the scene. Northeast Regional Train 94 was delayed 44 minutes, while Acela Train 2162 and Northeast Regional Train 176 each experienced three‑minute delays.
Community response
Friends and family organized two fundraisers at Bar 101 to help cover medical costs. A GoFundMe page has been used to raise money for Ogden’s extensive treatment and recovery needs.
While the exact mechanism of the electrical contact remains unclear, authorities stress the importance of keeping railroad property secured and warning youths about the hazards of trespassing near high‑voltage equipment.
Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
