Lucknow: Wooden art chunk crashes at terminal, flyers escape unhurt

LUCKNOW: Flyers and staff at Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport had a narrow escape on Friday morning, when a massive chunk of wooden artwork on the heritage wall crashed on the terminal building floor.
Eye-witnesses said, there were at least 20 passengers in the 10-metre radius where the 10x4 foot wooden plank fell off from the artwork mounted on a wall, 20metre above the terminal check-in point. "The artwork was placed on a 25x4 foot wooden frame," said an eye-witness Sanjay Singh, a flyer.
The heritage wall was given its final shape in 2012 after the domestic section was commissioned for operation after renovation. "Thankfully, there were luggage trolleys parked under the artwork when planks crashed. Glass boxes placed on the trolleys were smashed to smithereens in the impact," he said.
Atul Kulkarni, who came to see off his father, said, "We were near the terminal right under the heritage wall. Suddenly, a mammoth chunk fell just 5 meters away from my father. He was scared and traumatized. I thanked God for saving the life of my father," said Kulkarni.
Rita Sinha, who accompanied her mother to board the Delhi flight, said, "We were waiting at the check-in counter when I heard a thud and saw the broken wooden art work lying on the floor. This was part of the airport's heritage wall. God kept us safe. I started crying and hugged my mom," said Rita.
Officer on special duty, Airport Authority of India, Sanjay K Narayan said, "No injuries or casualties were reported. The piece fell on a transparent box and trolley. All passengers were safe."