Mumbai tree fall: Teen remains extremely critical

Mumbai: Nearly five days after a tree crash in Khar left a young woman and a teenaged girl critically injured, doctors at PD Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre on Thursday said the condition of 15-year-old Aarika Srivasta remained extremely critical with absent higher brain and brain-stem functions.In a medical update issued by the hospital, doctors said the teenager continued to be on ventilator support following the May 10 accident.“The 15-year-old remains very critical on the ventilator with absent higher brain functions and absent brain-stem functions,” the statement said.The second victim, a 21-year-old woman who was also seriously injured in the incident, remains critical and is scheduled to undergo cervical spine stabilisation surgery on Thursday, the hospital added.The 21-year-old and the 15-year-old were both brought to the hospital after a tree from a private premises collapsed upon an autorickshaw in which they were travelling in Khar on Sunday evening.A media statement issued by the private developer, Bluestone Properties, who is carrying out redevelopment within the premises from where the tree crashed said, “Bluestone Properties is deeply saddened by this tragic incident and extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Our thoughts remain with the injured victim and all those affected during this extremely difficult time. Our immediate priority has been extending every possible support to the affected families, including assistance towards medical and related expenses. Bluestone, as a socially responsible company, is extending full cooperation to all concerned authorities and has proactively shared all relevant site records and documentation to facilitate any thorough and transparent technical assessment. At this stage, any conclusion regarding causation would be premature. In fact, preliminary observations by the company’s internal investigative team indicate the possibility of concealed internal decay in the tree, including termite-related weakening, with no visible external signs of structural vulnerability. The fact that this was an isolated incident, with no other trees in or around the redevelopment zone impacted, underscores the need for expert technical evaluation before any attribution of responsibility. The project is a fully approved redevelopment initiative being executed in accordance with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. Bluestone has consistently maintained stringent engineering oversight and safety protocols across its developments and has a strong track record of responsible, compliant execution. Our priority remains compassion for the affected families and ensuring that the facts, established through expert assessment, guide the process.”