The accident occurred when the door panel of a local train crashed into a long-distance train on the next track at Nahur
The accident occurred when the door panel of a local train crashed into a long-distance train on the next track at Nahur
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In a freak accident, a couple of passengersu00a0-- aged four and 34u00a0-- lost their limbs at Nahur yesterday. The incident occurred after a door panel of a local train unhinged on its own and crashed into the Bangalore-bound Udayan Express' coach S-10 passing next to it.
Shaken to the core: Devappa Kumbhar narrating the accident that
almost killed his son. Pic/Sameer Markande
The victims have been identified as Sharun Devappa Kumbhar (4) and Chandrabai Hadkamal (34). The impact of the panel was such that it severed Sharun's left wrist, while Chandrabai lost her right forearm. The victims are currently being treated at Fortis Hospital in Mulund.
The incident
Narrating the accident, which almost claimed his son, a traumatised Devappa Kumbhar said, "We were on our way to Solapur on an annual pilgrimage, and the seats for my wife, three children and me were confirmed at the last minute. Sharun started throwing tantrums that he wanted the window seat and was happy when he got one. However, when the train was on its way to Nahur, we heard a loud thud and immediately realised that something big had hit the coach. What I saw next curdled my blood. Sharun suddenly gave out a loud cry and when we saw him, he was lying in a pool of blood." According to Devappa, the door panel had severed Sharun's left wrist.
To make matters worst, despite him pulling the emergency chain nearly 20 times, it halted only at Thane, as it was the next station.
Like Sharun, Chandrabai too lost one of her limbs: her right forearm, as she was sitting at the door when the accident occurred. She was on her way to Bhusawal and was supposed to alight at Kalyan to board Pushpak Express.
Once the train halted at Thane, the Railway policemen rushed the injured to the nearby Thane Civil Hospital.
Later, the Central Railway (CR) authorities shifted them to Fortis for further treatment. The doctors at the hospital stated that they had called plastic surgeons to perform reconstruction surgeries on the patients' lost limbs.
Doctor speaks
Commenting on their condition, Dr S Narayani, director of medical services, Fortis Hospital, said, "They were brought to the hospital at around 12:30 pm and were rushed to the emergency ward. We wanted to perform reconstruction surgeries, as their relatives had brought along the severed limbs. However, the grievous injuries prevented us from doing so. Both the patients have suffered severe internal injuries and we are trying our best to get them out of extensive trauma."
Official word
Taking a serious note of the incident, CR authorities have initiated investigations. Besides, a Senior Section Engineer of Kurla car shed, where the train was stationed for maintenance has been suspended, stated an official press release issued by the CR. Meanwhile, an ex-gratia of
Rs 5,000 has been paid to the injured.
Precautionary measuresu00a0
Following the incident, CR had organised checks on the high-tension compartment doors of all the Siemens DC-AC trains after they were parked. Moreover, Commissioner of Railway Safety, Central Circle will be conducting the inquiry into the incident.