An elderly man in Kazan was struck when a traffic light pole toppled in strong winds, injuring him as it fell during the day. The incident prompted an official investigation and a criminal case was opened after the force of the impact caused injuries that required medical care, according to the regional investigative authorities.
The authorities reported that on the morning of April 13, 2023, at the intersection of Akademika Parina and Mavlyutova streets in Kazan, a traffic light descended onto a pedestrian who is 76 years old. The person sustained a tibial fracture and remained hospitalized for treatment and observation, according to the statements from the regional investigators.
The case was initiated under part 1 of Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which addresses the provision of services that do not meet safety requirements. The investigation intends to assess the actions of those responsible for installing and maintaining road infrastructure facilities to determine accountability if safety standards were breached.
A photo published by a Telegram channel associated with local coverage shows the fallen traffic light along with nearby road signs attached to the same pole. The light apparently regulated traffic at a pedestrian crossing at the time of the incident.
Separately, reports indicated that, during unloading activities in Moscow, a dump truck with a raised body toppled to its side. This second incident was noted in regional updates as part of ongoing safety and transport infrastructure discussions.