In a close call that could have ended in tragedy, two daily commuters were injured after a tree, along with mud and stones, fell beside a moving local train near Kasara station on Tuesday evening.

The incident occurred around 8.25 pm when the 6.28 pm CSMT–Kasara local, running 10 to 15 minutes late, was approaching Platform No 4. Tukaram Devram Jadhav, 54, and Balu Hanumant Jadhav, 50, both employed at a plastic company in Atgaon MIDC, had boarded the train from Atgaon as part of their regular commute.

As the train neared pole number 120, the two men were standing near the door, preparing to alight. Suddenly, a tree and debris, including mud and rocks, slid down from an adjacent slope and struck their legs. “Had we not stepped slightly inside, the tree would have hit our heads,” said Tukaram.