CST Bridge Collapse: Survivors Recount a Night of Horror

Survivors of the CST bridge collapse that killed 6 and injured over 30, recount their experience.

A survivor of the bridge collapse being carried to the ambulance from GT Hospital.

(Photo: Ankita Sinha/The Quint)

Twenty-one-year-old Nilesh Yedge walked out of his college and headed towards CST station at around 7:15 pm on 14 March to catch a train back home. Like every day, he met his uncle, a fruit seller who lives in Navi Mumbai, near the station and the duo climbed the bridge that leads to the station. Seconds after Yedge stepped off the bridge, he heard a deafening noise behind him. The bridge had collapsed and all those walking on it, were lying under the debris. Including Yedge’s uncle, Atmaram.

“A soon as I saw that the bridge had collapsed behind me, I jumped from the stairs on to the road and started removing the debris to help my uncle and the others who were stuck under it. We rushed him to the hospital as soon as ambulances reached the spot, about 20 minutes later. He has suffered injuries on his back, hands and legs.”

Nilesh Yedge, student

Nilesh Yedge had just crossed the bridge before it collapsed.(Photo: Ankita Sinha/The Quint)

As the extent of Atmaram’s injuries are yet to be determined, his family consisting of his wife and three children are now also forced to figure out an alternative source of livelihood.

“He has been advised to maintain complete bed rest. We request the authorities to at least look after his family till he is capable of working again,” added Nilesh Yedge.

An earlier picture of Atmaram.(Photo Courtesy: Nilesh Yedge)

The mood at Gokuldas Tejpal (GT) Hospital in South Mumbai is sombre. At least 16 people, including Atmaram, who suffered serious injuries in the collapse are admitted here. Apart from handling the crisis, the staff are also still reeling over the loss of three of their nurses who died in the same incident.

Thirty-five-year-old Apoorva Prabhu, 40-year-old Ranjana Tambe and 40-year-old Bhakti Shinde were on their way to the hospital to begin their shift when tragedy struck. To honour their memory, the staff at GT Hopital held a prayer meet that was attended by all.

GT Hospital holds prayer meet in memory of the three nurses who died.(Photo: Ankita Sinha/The Quint)

Thirty-three-year-old Rajendra Navale’s entire family, including wife Sonali Navale and 3-year-old son Adhvit, suffered from grievous injuries in the collapse. While Rajendra was barely conscious while being carried on a stretcher to an ambulance that transferred him to Jaslok Hospital, Sonali and 3-year-old Adhvit suffered injuries on their leg.

The entire family was in no state to even demand accountability from the authorities for their plight.

Rajendra Navale being carried to the ambulance.(Photo: Ankita Sinha/The Quint)

Sonali Navale being transferred to Jaslok Hospital.(Photo: Ankita Sinha/The Quint)

Three-year-old Advith sits with his uncle and aunt.(Photo: Ankita Sinha/The Quint)

Forty-six-year-old sales executive, Jayesh Awalane, always avoided taking the ill-fated bridge as he always felt it wasn’t sturdy enough but unfortunately he was under it when structure collapsed.

Jayesh Awalane lies in his hospital bed.(Photo: The Quint)

“I was coming out of the platform at CST station and had just reached the road. Before I even realised what was happening, the bridge just fell. I have used that bridge so many times before this and I always felt it vibrate. It was not sturdy at all.”

Jayesh Awalane, survivor 

Now, Awalane is being treated for a deep gash in on his face and injuries on his hands and neck.

“I was in Borivali and my daughter was in Andheri when we received the police’s call. We were especially worried because he had two stents inserted in his heart just four months ago and now this. His back is hurting a lot, every time he tries talking blood oozes out of his neck and this these are the only injuries we know of yet. Doctors are performing a full body scan on him today,” added Awalane’s mother-in-law Sharda.