Tree branch claims fifth life in Thane: Dombivli businessman becomes latest victim

A bulky branch that fell from a century-old peepal tree, claimed the life of a 31-year-old businessman, while also injuring his wife and the driver of a auto rickshaw they were travelling in, on Tuesday.

Ravi Shah, a businessman from Dombivli and his wife Urvi, 27, were on their way to visit Ravi’s sister, after visiting a hospital in Mulund. They had boarded the auto rickshaw of Chandrabhan Gupta who was driving them towards Guru Gobind Singh road in Mulund West, when the huge branch fell on the auto from a height severely damaging it.

They were rushed to a nearby hospital, but Ravi who has suffered serious head and spine injuries was dead, by the time he was given treatment. His wife suffered an eye injury but is stable. Auto driver Gupta is however in critical condition.

Ravi Shah, 31, died on the spot.”All three were rushed to the Agarwal hospital, but due to lack of facilities there, Urvi had to be shifted to Fortis hospital, while Chandrabhan was taken to another private hospital” said the police.

Urvi, who had lost vision on her left eye from a pressure cooker blast in their house, has received five stitches on her right eye and is stable. But Chandrabhan’s condition is critical; he has been put on ventilator support, added the police.

“Ravi had been unwell for a week, so she had taken him to Dr Umesh, their family doctor. Following the check-up, they were planning on going to Ravi’s sister’s home, which is in the same colony where the branches of the tree collapsed. She has suffered minor injuries and the doctor has allowed her to go home.”Urvi’s sister told mid-day.

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It is however not the first time tree branches have claimed lives in the area. Earlier, four people were killed from similar incidents in the ongoing year.

The locals said that hey had warned BMC about the impending danger and had also written an application, but no action was taken to resolve the issue. At 3:25 pm, an hour after the incident, a fire brigade team rushed to the spot along with the police and ambulance, an official from BMC’s garden department could also be seen inspecting the area.

An FIR of accidental death has been lodged on the case, but police are also investigating about any untoward means, that could have led to the branch fall.

Ganesh Gupta, Chandrabhan’s younger brother said, “Treefall incidents have been in the news since monsoon began and many people have lost their loved ones to them. We’re lucky my brother is alive. We’ve demanded punishment for the person who neglected the application. Also, the government should compensate the victims.”