Tragedy on the Tracks: Elderly Woman Loses Her Leg After Falling Under Latur-Pandharpur Train in Pandharpur

In a shocking incident that has shaken the local community, an elderly woman lost her leg after accidentally falling under the Latur-Pandharpur passenger train at the Pandharpur railway station on Monday morning. The horrifying moment was caught on CCTV and has since gone viral, drawing widespread concern about passenger safety for senior citizens at Indian railway stations.

According to eyewitnesses, the woman—believed to be around 70 years old—was trying to board the slow-moving train when she lost her balance and slipped between the platform and the train. Within seconds, the train’s wheels rolled over her leg, crushing it completely before anyone could intervene.

“The scene was horrifying. She screamed once and then fell silent. We all rushed to help, but it was too late—the train had already passed over her foot,” said one panicked witness, a vendor near the platform.

Railway staff and bystanders immediately alerted the authorities and stopped the train. Emergency services were called and the woman was rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors confirmed that her leg was severely damaged and had to be amputated to save her life.

“The patient suffered a traumatic crush injury below the knee,” said Dr. Salunkhe, the lead surgeon at Pandharpur Civil Hospital. “We had no choice but to amputate the leg. She is currently stable and under observation.”

The woman’s identity has not yet been released to the media, but railway police have confirmed that she was traveling alone and may have been visiting Pandharpur for religious reasons, as the town is a major pilgrimage site, especially during Ashadhi Ekadashi.

The incident has reignited debate around railway infrastructure and passenger safety, especially for elderly citizens who often struggle with uneven platforms, gaps between the train and platform, and a lack of assistance at stations.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said local activist Ravi Khedekar. “There are no proper ramps, no staff to help the elderly during peak hours, and absolutely no announcements or guidance. Every year, people get injured, and yet no one in authority seems to care.”

The Ministry of Railways has ordered a preliminary inquiry into the incident. According to early reports, the train was operating under speed limits and there was no mechanical fault. The mishap appears to have occurred solely due to the woman’s accidental slip while trying to board.

However, social media users are demanding accountability and immediate safety reforms. “How many lives will it take for Indian Railways to install platform gap covers and deploy helpers for the elderly?” tweeted one concerned citizen.

In response to the growing outrage, railway officials have promised to examine conditions at Pandharpur station and consider deploying additional staff and signage, particularly during religious gatherings when footfall increases dramatically.

Meanwhile, the woman remains hospitalized, her life forever changed by a moment’s misstep. Her family, now by her side, has requested privacy as she begins the long road to recovery—physically, emotionally, and mentally.