I ain't falling into your trap here ?, no one has said there has to be a single word, there is no need for a journalist to be restricted to using less words and simply put he could have said the guy was critically injured following an electric shock, while this word still attaches itself to its original meaning for many then the use of it should be done with caution, as a journalist he should have realised the word could be interpreted in a few different ways, one of which could cause unnecessary stress if someone thought their friend/relative was killed by reading the header when in fact he is by all means still alive.
I have to concede that the nature of the meaning of the word is changing, I don't have to like it and it still can be found in some dictionaries to hold only its original meaning meaning that using it has to come with some thought if it is reflecting on a person and an incident.