Mumbai bridge collapse: Among dead, three nurses, two in hospital they worked

Mumbai foot overbridge collapse at CST: Hospital staff said that while they were prepared for casualties, they were stunned when they saw the first few patients wheeled in: Apurva Prabhu (35) and Ranjana Tambe (40), both nurses at the hospital.

Mumbai foot overbridge collapse in CST: Among dead, three nurses, two in hospital they worked

Mumbai foot overbridge collapse at CST: The collapsed foot overbridge. (Express Photo: Prashant Nadkar)

Three of the six dead in the foot overbridge collapse at the CSMT railway station Thursday were nurses at Gokuldas Tejpal (GT) Hospital nearby — two of them were rushed to the same hospital they worked at.

Hospital staff said that while they were prepared for casualties, they were stunned when they saw the first few patients wheeled in: Apurva Prabhu (35) and Ranjana Tambe (40), both nurses at the hospital who were on their way to begin their night shift.

“They are our girls, we immediately recognised them. They were on their way for the night shift, which begins at 8 pm,” said a senior nursing staff member. Both succumbed to their injuries.

mumbai FOB bridge collapse in CST near TOI

Mumbai foot overbridge collapsed: Six people were killed and at least 31 others injured. (Express Photo: Prashant Nadkar)

Prabhu’s husband, Abhay, who rushed to the hospital after coming to know about the accident on TV, said he had spoken to his wife after she boarded the train along with Tambe and another staffer, Bhakti Shinde (40).

“She had called me after she boarded. Then, I saw the news on TV about the collapse. Her name was being flashed, I tried calling her but could not get through,” he said.

Shinde, meanwhile, was declared dead at St. George hospital. The three nurses stayed in Dombivali and took the same train to work during night shifts, he said.

Follow LIVE UPDATES on the Mumbai CST bridge collapse

At the hospital, staff attended to patients being rushed in while fighting back tears. “We usually come together. But today, I wanted to buy something for my son so I took an earlier train and the subway not the bridge,” said another staff member.

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Mumbai foot overbridge collapsed: The collapse comes less than a year after the G K Gokhale Road overbridge between Andheri and Vile Parle stations crumbled, claiming one life. (Express Photo: Prashant Nadkar)

Staff members said the three who were killed were “hardworking colleagues, who had been with the hospital for nearly a decade”.

Also read | The bridge was declared ‘fit to use’ only six months ago

Another hospital employee, Vijay Bhagwat, 35, sustained a leg fracture. “He was in the same train as the nurses. When the bridge collapsed, he called me to inform that he was injured. I immediately alerted the hospital and asked them to rush someone to the spot,” said Tejaswi, Bhagwat’s wife.

Sadaf Modak

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

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