Mumbai building collapse: Hospital in vicinity of Ghatkopar structure helped rescued get medical care

Officials said the victims were taken to the Shantiniketan Hospital in Ghatkopar minutes after being pulled out from under the rubble, which meant they got immediate paramedical care

A hospital right next to the Siddhi Sai building that caved in on Tuesday morning came as a blessing to the dozens injured in the incident.

NDRF and fire brigade teams rescue those stuck in the rubble. (PRASHANT WAYDANDE)

Officials said the victims were taken to the Shantiniketan Hospital minutes after being pulled out from under the rubble, which meant they got immediate paramedical care. Doctors from the hospital said they treated at least 12 victims, most of whom had head injuries and fractures. The doctors said they also treated many for trauma and shock.

The five-storeyed building collapsed down around 10.45am on Tuesday, and most of the casualties were senior citizens and women.

“We started getting patients as soon as locals started rescue operations. As the working population was not at home and children were at school, it was mostly senior citizens and women we treated,” said Dr Praful Lokhande, who runs the hospital.

Four women, Ranjan Shah, Sulochana Khalchandani, Amruta Thak and Divya Ajmera were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Their bodies were later sent to the Rajawadi Hospital for a post-mortem.

“Sulochana’s daughter-in-law Ridhhi suffered a severe head injury and multiple fractures and was rushed to the ICU. She is in stable condition now,” Dr Lokhande said.

Doctors from the hospital also helped firemen Ganesh Khandge and Rajesh Rathod from the Kurla fire station.

“We rescued a woman from the rubble, but as soon as we bent to pick her up, there was a gas leak. I couldn’t breathe and the next thing I remember was on a hospital bed,” said Khandge.

Doctors moved Khandge to the ICU as his condition was critical, but he improved and was moved back to the general ward.

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