CET aspirant falls off train, will lose a year

He was severely injured while boarding moving train

The hopes of an aspiring engineer were dashed yesterday, after a freak accident sent him to the hospital instead of the centre for the MHT-CET exam. Siddesh Narvekar (20), failed to reach his centre at KC College in Churchgate, after he accidentally fell from a running train at Elphinstone Road station.


Injured: Narvekar at KEM hospital. Pic/Arvind Walmiki

Narvekar is a student of MD College at Parel. He left his Prabhadevi residence at 7.30 am in order to reach his centre an hour before the examination. He was on the verge of boarding at Elphinstone Road station, when he was informed that he was mistakenly getting onto the first-class compartment.

He made a dash for the general compartment, but the train had already started rolling. In a desperate attempt to board, he grabbed a pole near the compartment's door, and was dragged a short distance. He lost his balance, and fell on the platform, severely injuring his back.

Narvekar's aunt said, "Siddesh never travels by train. This was the first time he was commuting via one. We urged him to take a bus, but he insisted on a train, since the centre was bang opposite Churchgate station.

The boy will lose a whole year. He had worked hard for the exam and wished to opt for engineering." He was rushed to KEM Hospital. Said the doctor on call, "Narvekar sustained compound injuries to his legs, back and head. His left femur is fractured. He will be kept under observation tonight."