17 July,2017 11:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Suraj Ojha
RPF constable Pradeepkumar Gite saved a BEST bus conductor from falling between a train and the platform at Kurla station. He had previously rescued a mother and daughter in December
CCTV images show Constable Gite pulling Kolte away from the train
It's clear as light of day that policing is a thankless job. But, at least three people are more than just thanking one Railway Protection Force constable. Because if it wasn't for his presence of mind, they would have lost their lives. Constable Pradipkumar Gite, attached to the Kurla RPF, has saved three lives in six months.
Constable Pradipkumar Gite, (right) Sanjay Kolte, BEST conductor
On Saturday, the constable who was posted on Passenger Luggage Theft (PLT) duty at Kurla station, saved a BEST bus conductor from falling in the gap between a train and the platform.
To Sanjay Kolte (30), the BEST bus conductor, Gite is like God. He said, "I feel Constable Gite came to the spot like he was God. If I am alive it's because of him. I was in a hurry and tried to catch a train but my leg slipped from the footboard. I began to be dragged alongside the train on the platform. I was about to be pulled into the gap but Gite pulled me away by my shirt."
Watch Video: RPF cops save commuter from being crushed by Mumbai local train
He rushes to rescue a mother-daughter duo from the gap
"I thank Gite. Because of him my family can still smile. I have promised myself that I will not do something like that again," he added.
Also read - Mumbai: Woman saved from falling into platform gap by RPF officials at Dadar station
The incident took place on Saturday at 5:45 pm when Kolte, who stays in Navi Mumbai, was headed home. He was on platform number 7 and had attempted to catch a running train.
Saved two others
Saving lives at the railway platforms seems to have become a habit for Gite, as in the month of December, he had saved a Mankhurd-based mother and daughter duo, when they were about to get pulled into the gap between the train and the platform. After the mother who tried to catch a running train lost her balance and fell, her daughter had jumped from the running train to try and help her.
Also read - Mumbai: 16-year-old saves friend from being run over by train at Kurla station
Gite said, "Both were about to be pulled into the gap. I saved both of them with the help of one of my colleagues."
Also read - Caught on CCTV: Girl falls into gap between train & platform, survives
Gite feels he was just lucky to have been there. "During duty profile, we have to patrol on every platform, especially in peak hours, to keep an eye on thieves. In both incidents, luckily I was there, and when I heard their voices, I reacted and saved them," Gite added.
Official speak
Kurla RPF in-charge, Suresh Atri said, "Gite is one of the finest staff members in our team. He was awarded by an NGO for saving the mother-daughter. He played a key role in detecting over 46 cases of bag lifting and mobile theft, because of which our senior divisional commissioner, Sachin Bhalode, had rewarded him with the Man of the Month title in April."
