Bandra-Worli sea link accident: ‘I haven’t slept for two nights’

Rinku Rajput (in circle) waving an LED baton, signalling drivers to not take the lane

I saw five of my friends die in front of me. I can still see the horrific scene unfold every time I close my eyes," said Rinku Rajput, a survivor of the tragic Bandra Worli Sea Link accident. The 28-year-old, who was waving an LED baton, signalling drivers to avoid the lane, is also the only eyewitness who saw the car approaching them. He told mid-day, "I saw the car speeding towards us. I jumped towards the railing and it was only a fraction of seconds before the SUV rammed into the vehicles. I was lucky to have survived, but my friends did not."

Rajput, who hails from Chitrakut in Uttar Pradesh, said, "I joined as a security staff around 4 months ago at a monthly salary of Rs 7,500 for 8-hour duty. That night, I, along with Rajendra Rajput, joined duty at 10 pm as usual. We got information about a car hitting the divider around 2.40 am. Rajendra and I immediately went towards the accident site. Both of us were waving batons to divert the vehicles from lane 4."

Rinku Rajput and Rajendra Rajput at the site, before the SUV rammed into the vehicles

"I noticed a speeding car on lane 2 which suddenly changed to lane 4 and came towards us. I was waving the baton but the driver did not seem to slow down. I instinctively jumped towards the railing. The car dashed into Rajendra and then the other vehicles," he said, adding, "Once the car crossed me, I just sat down and saw the accident happen right in front of me. I went numb and don't remember anything after that."

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"It was unlike anything I saw before. I am shivering just speaking about it. I haven't been able to sleep for the last two nights. I wake up after having nightmares. My family wants me to leave the job, but what will I do after going back?" he said.

Remains of a car after the accident

A visibly shaken Rajput concluded, "All who died were my friends. In fact, Rajendra was my buddy. I still can't believe they are no more."

2.40am
Time they were informed about the first accident

10 pm
Time when he joined duty