'Ra.One' animator battling for life after accident in Mumbai

A 28-year-old animator, who led the team that recently won the national award for special effects in Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One, is battling for life, after an auto rickshaw in which she was travelling, was hit by a speeding car in suburban Oshiwara in Mumbai, leaving her seriously injured, police said on Monday.

The mishap took place in the early hours of Sunday around 1am, when the victim, Charu Khandal was returning home in the auto with her sister Ritu and friend Vikrant Goyal, after a party that she had thrown for close family and friends on Saturday night, they said.

The young animator has suffered multiple fractures in her leg and spine besides grave injuries on her head after the black Honda City rammed into the autorickshaw, which turned turtle near Sriji restaurant.

Ritu and Goyal also received severe injuries in the accident, police said.

The trio was immediately rushed to a nearby private hospital where Charu is battling for life and two others are undergoing treatment.

Manoj Gautam, who was behind the wheels of the car was arrested last night for rash and negligent driving. He was subsequently granted bail, police added.