Three constables with the Thane Rural police had a lucky escape after a coconut tree crashed into their cabin on Friday. The constables — Vijay Mane, Navnath Awhad and Dipak Gaware — suffered minor injuries.
The incident occurred around 10.30 a.m. when the constables were in a small resting room, which is on the premises of the office of the Commissioner of Police. The tree suddenly fell on the roof and the constables were injured as the asbestos roof collapsed. They were rushed to Thane Civil Hospital and discharged soon after first aid.
While Mr. Mane suffered minor injuries on his head, shoulder, and left hand, Mr. Awhad had injuries on his back and both the hands. Mr. Gaware had injured his left hand. Dr. Deepti Kalambkar from Thane Civil Hospital, who attended to the injured, said, “The three victims had minor injuries, mostly scratches on their legs, back, and hands. They were given treatment and discharged.”
An official from the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) said the tree was never inspected by them as it was not under their jurisdiction. Santosh Kadam, an official from the disaster management cell of the TMC, said they were alerted about the incident on the police premises. “We helped the police remove the tree from the spot,” he said. The fire brigade also rushed to the spot.
A police official, however, claimed the tree was on the TMC premises.
