Nagpur: Rakshabandhan festivities turned tragic for Raju Pache (40) and his family when he lost a leg after falling while boarding the 12105 CSTM-Gondia Vidarbha Express on Sunday morning.
The incident took place at 9.30am at Kamptee station when Pache, who works as a labourer at Waregaon, was heading to his native village Kukkapaudi in Balaghat (MP) to tie rakhi. He was accompanied by his two children, aged 3 and 5, and wife Sangeeta. Pache is the only brother to four sisters, who stay in his native village.
Eyewitnesses said Pache was carrying his son and boarding S9 coach. When he saw that his wife and daughter were left behind, and unable to board the train, he tried to get down at the very moment the train started.
South East Central Railway (SECR) deputy chief ticket inspector (DyCTI) SKM Patnaik, who was manning the coach, took custody of the kid in Pache’s arms. As the train started, Pache, who was holding the steel bar at the gate, got dragged a few metres as he fell into the gap between the train and the platform, and lost his right leg. He also suffered head injuries. Amid chaos, the train was stopped and the ticket checking staff rushed to Pache’s help.
Patnaik went out of the way and rushed Pache to the nearby government hospital, but doctors there referred him to Nagpur. Patnaik, who was to be on duty till Gondia, informed his seniors and accompanied Pache to Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & Hospital (IGGMCH) and admitted him.
Patnaik recalled, “It was a gory sight. We sought bed sheets from the AC attendants and collected the amputated leg lying on the tracks. I had hoped we would be able to admit Pache early and the leg could be rejoined. However, by the time we reached Nagpur, it was 11.30am,” he said.
“Pache hails from a poor financial background and has three small kids. He won’t be able to work anymore. The tragedy has put a big question mark on the survival of his kids. We need someone to guide us to claim compensation from the railways,” said Pache’s cousin Naresh at the hospital.
When news reached Pache’s family, they immediately started for Nagpur. Kamptee GRP have registered a FIR.
