Families of dead in state of shock

A walk on the pavement in the Bhatwadi area of Ghatkopar turned nightmarish for many on Sunday, as a speeding truck knocked down several pedestrians, killing two and leaving five injured.

Fifty five-year-old deceased Baliram Lawte, a Diva resident, had come to meet his childhood friend, Hanumant Mutkule. While Lawte died on the spot, Mutkule sustained face and back injuries.

Mutkule recounted the horrific incident, “Both of us were thrown on the road. Unfortunately, Lawte bled heavily and died on the spot.”

Another deceased, Maruti Gunaji Rane, suffered from heavy bleeding and succumbed to his injuries in the intensive care unit of the Rajawadi Hospital. “Even though my father was aged, he was an active person. He did not deserve to die in this manner,” said his mourning son, Anil Rane.

Pandhrinath Borle, 85, a retired Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) school teacher, sustained head injuries and stitches on his forehead. “The doctors are examining if the head injuries have caused any brain damage,” said Borle’s daughter, Shubhangi.

The locals blame the Metro rail construction work for the increasing levels of congestion and traffic on roads. “An increasing number of dumpers and trucks ply day in and day out through the area,” said Chandrakant Surve, Rane’s neighbour.

“The patients have suffered from blunt trauma injuries to the head, chest and back apart from sustaining bruises. They are stable but will be kept under observation for a few days,” said Dr Nilesh Pathak of Rajawadi Hospital.