Mishap victims recount tales of pain, fear

Mumbai: In a bid to help the survivors of Friday’s stampede recover from their trauma, civic-run KEM Hospital is holding counselling sessions for them. The incident led to 23 deaths while 38 were injured. Twenty victims are still recovering at the hospital.

“Our doctors are counselling the patients,” said the dean of KEM Hospital, Dr Avinash Supe, adding “We have organised for a psychologist too. Physical as well as mental care is must for such patients. There are patients who have lost their dear ones... in such cases counselling sessions are must.”

Asked how many patients were discharged, Dr Supe said, “Two patients left the hospital against medical advice and another three were discharged on Friday. Six were discharged on Saturday and ten on Sunday late evening.” The rest were discharged on OPD basis on Friday itself, he said.

Jitendra Patel (18) had arrived in the city two months ago from Uttar Pradesh in search of a job. He resides with his elder brother in the slums near Sion railway station and works at a wholesale shop on Elphinstone Road. He was on his way to the shop when he was caught in the stampede. Sharing his ordeal, Mr Patel said, “No sooner had I heard the noise of women shouting than I was pushed from behind and I lost my balance and people piled on top of me.”

“I couldn’t see anything. I didn’t think I would make it out alive. I was unconscious and beset by internal chest injuries,” he added.

Diva resident Rakesh Kadam (31), who works at an Elphinstone-based garage, said, “There’s severe pain in my both legs. My hip bone is broken. I have been advised to rest and recovery will take some time.” He added, “The compensation that has been given will be spent on my medication. It’s been a sheer loss, economically as well as physically.”

Aakash Parab (18) is unaware of his younger brother’s demise as his parents feel that keeping the matter under wraps will help him convalesce.

His father, Ankush Parab, a Vikhroli-based flower vendor, said, “ My 11-year-old, Rohit, is no more. Aakash has fractured his right leg. He’s not in the state to talk to anyone nor can he bare the pain.”

Ritesh Rathod (27), a sales executive in a private firm, who wants to be discharged as soon as possible, is too scared to take the bridge again. The youth, who fractured his hip bone and right leg, said, “I won’t be able to travel again via that bridge. I want to change my job. The scene is so fresh in my mind that I can see it front of me even after closing my eyes. This is a ghost that will haunt me forever,” he said.