Metallic strip from train hits two at Ghatkopar station

Two persons were critically injured at Ghatkopar railway station on Saturday evening after a metallic strip went loose from luxury train Maharaja Express and hit them.

The two – Arjun Shinde, 27 and Rajan Nair, 42 – were standing on platform number three of Ghatkopar station waiting for their train. At that time the Maharaja Express was passing from Ghatkopar and things turned ugly. A loose metallic strip from one of the coaches first hit Shinde’s head followed by Nair. Shinde was shifted from Rajawadi hospital to Sion hospital.

“A sharp object hit him on the skull. He has a major skull fracture and his brain was pouting out.

He is unconscious, on ventilator life support and has been admitted to the trauma ward,” said Dr Nivedita Moulick, acting dean of Sion Hospital.

The other victim – Nair has been admitted to Rajawadi hospital. “He has sustained blunt trauma leading to swelling on the head and back. But he is stable and out of danger,” said Dr Manish Joshi, medical officer at Rajawadi hospital. As it is a clear case of safety lapse, the coach will be inspected to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Maharaja Express is one of the most expensive luxury train operated by the IRCTC and takes tourists, particularly foreigners, to several destinations. A similar incident had occurred on November 21, 2011, injuring three between Nahur and Mulund stations.