The Gokhale bridge collapse in Mumbai’s Andheri claimed its second victim on Sunday as 52-year-old Manoj Mehta, injured in the incident, died in hospital. Mehta had been on a ventilator since the day of the crash and succumbed to infection and multi-organ failure, reported The Times of India. He was declared dead at 7.30 pm on Sunday.
A part of the overhead bridge had collapsed at the Andheri station on July 3, injuring five people. The bridge, which connects the eastern side of Andheri to its west, collapsed onto the railway tracks beneath after heavy rain. The first victim, 35-year-old Asmita Katkar, died four days after the incident. She was on ventilator support, had fractured both her arms, and suffered trauma to her head.
Mehta ran a company with his brother, working as a chartered accountant for it. As a result of the collapse, he suffered critical injuries to his spine. He had also injured his shoulder, ribs and lungs. Mehta received initial treatment at the government-run RN Cooper Hospital after which he was shifted to Balabhai Nanavati Hospital in Vile Parle and underwent surgery.
Dr Rajendra Patankar, chief operating officer of Nanavati Hospital, said Mehta’s injuries were grave and he had to be provided dialysis as a continuous 24-hour therapy since his kidneys had suffered. Later, he developed an infection and was kept in isolation at the intensive care unit.
“He was conscious at times as his brain functions were not affected but overall he remained critical throughout,” Patankar told The Times of India.
Rajesh, Mehta’s younger brother, said he had put up a good fight. “The injuries were too severe,” he told The Times of India. “He never spoke after the collapse though there were fleeting moments when he was conscious and recognised us.”
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