Hit by ‘rocket’, Bengaluru man loses one eye

BENGALURU: A 25-year-old painter from Adugodi, Shahrukh Khan, was left blind in one eye when he was passing by a rocket cracker that flew right into his eye. The incident happened around 7pm on Wednesday after which he was rushed to Minto Eye Hospital on Victoria Hospital premises. Speaking to Express, his brother Afsar said, “I am an auto driver and Shahrukh paints houses. He has lost vision in his left eye but doctors say they can’t do anything. However, they have asked us to meet another specialist.”
Dr H S Sathish, Medical Superintendent, Victoria Hospital and Director, Minto Eye Hospital, said, “All the three cases brought to Minto are that of bystanders. Shahrukh has lost vision in one eye.” 

Eight-year-old P Balu, a resident of Mulbagal, Kolar district, suffered 30 per cent burns on his left thigh and abdominal area on Wednesday around 5 pm. He was immediately rushed to Victoria Hospital’s Mahabodhi Burns Centre. Dr K T Ramesh, Head of the department of plastic surgery and burns, told Express, “The boy had put an agarbathi in his pocket which was full of crackers, thinking it was extinguished. Consequently, he suffered 30 per cent burns on his left thigh and peritoneum (abdominal cavity lining). He will be kept under observation for a few days here.”

10-year-old Bhawesh Solanki, whose father Gopal runs a stationery shop, was injured on Wednesday around 1.30 pm. A resident of Cubbonpet, he was injured as he was passing by crackers. Gopal told Express, “My son has been discharged. We have been asked to come for a followup on Saturday but I am thankful he’s fine and can see.”

Dr Bhujang Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Nethralaya, said across his four branches eight people had been injured, five of them kids and three adults. Fortunately, they could all be treated on an outpatient basis and sent home. One patient was less than three years old.