He saved others’ lives, but lost his daughter in Thane bldg collapse

Amrutlal Patel, a tea vendor, lived on the first floor of Krishna Niwas with his wife, teenaged daughter and three labourers.

Amrutlal Patel, a tea vendor, lived on the first floor of Krishna Niwas with his wife, teenaged daughter and three labourers.

Amrutlal Patel, a tea vendor, managed to save everyone in the flat, except his 14-year-old daughter. ((Photo: Praful Gangude)

The 35-year-old managed to save everyone in the flat, except his 14-year-old daughter. “I woke up because of a loud noise. I realised the building was shaking and woke up my wife Asha, 30, daughter Priya, and the three others who lived with us. We huddled in a corner, holding hands. But Priya’s hand slipped from mine and a wall fell on her.”

Patel was pulled out, followed by his wife. As they waited for rescuers to pull out Priya, the couple’s hopes started to diminish.

Patel was taken to the hospital for treatment, but he returned to search for his daughter, slowly coming to the realisation that she had not survived the collapse.

“I did not have a proper place to stay. My employer gave allowed me to stay in his flat,” said Patel.

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