A tragic industrial accident at the Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISP) in Bhadravati claimed the life of a prominent labour leader on Monday night. Vinod Kumar, 36, a former vice-president of the VISL contract workers' union, was fatally injured while unloading iron billets from a crane during the second shift.
Details of the Incident
According to police, a heavy-duty chain snapped unexpectedly, causing a massive iron billet weighing over one tonne to crash down onto Vinod. Despite his desperate attempt to escape, he suffered catastrophic injuries to his head and legs. Co-workers immediately rushed him to a local hospital, but as his condition worsened, he was referred to a private super-speciality hospital in Shivamogga.
Colleagues who accompanied him in the ambulance reported that Vinod remained conscious for a brief period, repeatedly expressing a final wish to see his young daughter. Tragically, he breathed his last just as the ambulance reached the outskirts of Shivamogga.
Condolences and Tributes
Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra visited the hospital to offer his condolences, noting that Vinod was a tireless advocate who fought for the rights of the labour community. On Tuesday morning, a large number of grieving factory workers and acquaintances gathered at the hospital to pay their final respects.
The incident has once again highlighted the safety concerns at industrial plants, with workers demanding better safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
