Thane teen loses legs after falling on railway track

A 14-year-old girl lost her legs after she accidentally fell on the tracks at Thane station and was run over by a train.

The incident took place at 3.30pm, on August 14, when Class 9 student, Runali More, a Manpada resident, was walking on platform number 5, towards the CSMT side, when she suddenly got pushed.

“A commuter pushed me by mistake and I directly fell on the tracks and came under a local train. I don’t remember much after that,” said Runali, who is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

Commuters informed the government railway police (GRP) and the train was stopped immediately and Runali was rescued.

“Runali was shifted to Civil Hospital in Thane, but as her injuries were serious, she was shifted to a private hospital in Sawarkar Nagar. Runali has lost both the legs, below the knees. An accidental report has been registered,” said a Thane GRP officer.

He said that CCTV footages did not capture how she fell or who pushed her. Runali, who studies in Carmel High School, Manpada, is a bright student, said her mother, Asha. “She had told her father she needed maths tuitions, but her father didn’t take her seriously and we couldn’t have afforded it. She had stepped out saying she was going to inquire about the classes,” said Asha.

However, Runali’s parents say she has been able to come out of the trauma and has accepted the situation and is positive.

With another surgery in the coming week, she said, “I thank god for saving my life. I will try to make my parents proud and wish to become a doctor.”

Dr Dinesh Shendarkar, orthopaedic surgeon, overseeing Runali’s treatment said her condition was critical when she was hospitalised. “In the first surgery, we operated and removed the damaged portion of her legs below the knees to curb the infection. In a week’s time, we will carry out the second surgery to close the wounds. It will take her more than a year to recover,” said Shendarkar.

However, for Runali’s family, comprising of her mother, her father who has a low vision, and an elder brother who just cleared his Class 12 exams, it is difficult to afford the expenses of treatment. Currently, Asha who works as a house help, is the only earning member of the family.

First Published: Aug 19, 2018 05:43 IST