40-year-old woman bank staffer slips into train-platform gap, dies

MUMBAI: Despite the tall claims made by the railways of having raised the height of platforms at all suburban railway stations, a 40-year-old died after she slipped from a crowded train and fell through the gap between the platform and footboard at Borivli station on Thursday morning.

The incident took place around 9.24 am, as a Churchgatebound fast train arrived at Borivli station. The local was supposed to arrive at Borivli at 9.05 am on platform 7, which was heavily crowded due to delays in services. Alka Patade, a resident of Nancy Colony in Borivali, tried to board the train. Tragically, she failed to board the train, but fell and came under the wheels of the train.

“Patade, who was running in an attempt to board the train, had succeeded in grabbing the pole of the compartment. She, however, was dragged and slipped through the gap while attempting to get inside,” said S Patil, Senior Police Inspector, Borivali GRP.

A doctor said she suffered severe head injuries and was declared dead on arrival at Shatabdi Hospital.

Senior WR official claimed that they have raised the height of platforms at all stations from Churchgate to Virar and keep conducting drives to sensitise commuters about safe travelling.

Crossing tracks, falling off overcrowded trains, getting electrocuted while travelling on rain rooftops and gaps between the platform and the train are the main reasons for death of passengers on the rail network in Mumbai. In the first six months this year, 1,051 persons lost their lives on Mumbai’s suburban railway network. Last year, 3,202 deaths had been reported within railway premises in the Mumbai region.