Commuter loses legs while boarding train at Marine Lines

Sometimes it's far simpler to negotiate the 30-km separating Marine Lines and Santacruz than the nearly 10 inches between a platform and a train. 66-year-old Hansmukhbhai Goda is one of those who fell short on August 2, and is now battling for life at Bombay Hospital.

Tragic fall: Three bogies went over Hansmukhbhai Goda before he could be pulled out

The victim was boarding a slow train to Santacruz from Marine Lines station at about 6.45 pm. While trying to step into a first class compartment, Goda slipped through the gap between the platform and the locomotive.

Satish Masani, the rescuer.

"Since the coach was towards the rear of the train, three bogies went over Goda before he could be saved. I had boarded the train from Churchgate and alighted at Marine Lines. No sooner I saw the accident, I ran for help and yelled to the onboard passengers to pull the emergency chain. When the train stopped I stepped into the gap and pulled him out," said rescuer Satish Masani.

Goda lost both his legs on the spot and was rushed to GT Hospital immediately afterwards. Later, family members moved him to Bombay Hospital. He was put on ventilator support, and his condition continued to be critical when reports last came in. More than 15 bottles of blood have been supplied to the victim.

Sources confirmed that the left leg has been operated upon, but the hospital is unable to treat the right one, as the patient's blood pressure is very low. "We are grateful to Satish and the stationmaster, who rushed my father to GT Hospital. The pain he was experiencing when conscious was excruciating, and I wish no one has to go through that," said Rikita Dhamecha, Goda's daughter.u00a0