2 critical in ROB collapse

Mumbai: Among the five persons injured in the partial collapse of Andheri’s Gokhale bridge’s pedestrian pathway, is a woman, Asmita Katkar (40), who is critical with brain injuries. A domestic help, she was on her way home after having dropped her child at a local school when the incident took place. Another person identified as Girdhari Singh (40), a daily wager, sustained spinal injuries and is in critical state. The other three are stable. While four are being treated at the civic-run Cooper Hospital, the fifth one was admitted to a privately-run Nanavati Hospital for treatment.

Mrs Katkar was caught unaware on the dilapidated bridge. She fell down and was trapped under the debris for half an hour. Finally, the Mumbai Fire Brigade managed to rescue her. But she has suffered severe head injuries in the accident. Talking to The Asian Age, Mrs Katkar’s husband Lahu who works as a domestic help said, “Asmita left home in the morning to drop our child to the school. She had used the Gokhale Bridge, many times in the past also.”  He said, “After dropping our child to the school, she climbed the bridge and it suddenly collapsed, we came to know about her status through TV as they showed the picture of a woman removed from debris.”

Cooper Hospital’s Dean Dr Ganesh Shinde said, “Five injured were rushed to our hospital out of which one was discharged and was later admitted to a private hospital. Mrs Katkar is more critical among all, whereas Mr Singh (40) needs a spinal surgery, Dwarakaprasad Sharma (47) has fractured both of his legs, Harish Koli (45) has sustained vascular injuries and Manoj Mehta (52) who took discharge has injuries on left hand, spine and face.”

  “My husband was on his way to work when this incident took place, he is recuperating and we are praying for his faster recovery,” said Rekha Koli, Harish’s wife.

Mr Singh’s friend Sunil Singh said, “His family is in Uttar Pradesh and we have informed them about the incident.”