Capital Shame

The rescue operation that followed saw officials trying to break the concrete platform structure with hammers,eyewitnesses said. “When we failed to break the platform,we called for gas cutters to cut the footboard of the coach,” an official said.

Personnel of the GRPF,RPF and police were present at the spot.

“The train was at what we call zero speed. It had not come to a complete halt. After Porwal fell,he tried to climb back on to the platform,but got trapped between the footboard of the following coach and the platform,” a police officer said.

Police said the incident took place at 9.40 pm but they received a call only at 10.25 pm — 45 minutes later. Eyewitnesses said people on the platform tried to help Porwal but did not succeed. Railway police personnel and other officials reached the spot 20 minutes later.

Screws on the steps of the footboard were removed but Porwal’s legs remained trapped. “We removed the screws on the last three steps. The first step is permanently attached to the base of the door,so we had to call in cutters. The man was wrapped in a wet blanket and gas cutters were used to remove the step,” the official said.

Porwal was rescued around 11 pm. Police said he was bleeding profusely and was unconscious. He was placed on a wooden trolley,used by porters to carry heavy luggage,and carried to a PCR van. He was then taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre.

No medical help was available to Porwal during or immediately after the rescue operation,witnesses said.

“At the Trauma Centre,he was declared dead-on-arrival. He was alive when he was rescued,but died on the way. He suffered multiple internal injuries and bled to death,” police said.

Porwal’s body has been handed over to his brother after a post-mortem examination.